(Order of Reference to the Full Bench by Chandra Reddi and Ramaswami, JJ. dated 20th February 1952.) RAMASWAMI, J. :- This is a second appeal preferred against the decree and judgment of the learned District Judge of Ramanathapuram in A.S. No. 18 of 1946 confirming the decree and judgment of the learned Subordinate Judge of Devakottai in O.S. No. 113 of 1944.

2. This second appeal is being heard by a Bench as Raghava Rao, J. was of opinion that an important question of Hindu law of adoption was involved in this case.

3. The facts necessary for comprehending the questions relating to adoption involved in this case are : One Umayal Achi who died some time before January 1928 was the mother of two daughters, viz., Kanthimathi and Sivagami. Kanthimathi who died on 27-8-1935 was got married as the second wife of the second defendant Chockalingam Chettiar. This Chocklingam Chettiars first deceased wife was one Visalakshi. Sivagami was the first defendant in the suit. The plaintiff Somasundaram alias Alagappa Chettiar contends that he has been adopted by the second defendant Chokalingam designating his deceased wife Kanthimathi as the adoptive mother in pursuance of the alleged dea