In Bignold vs Giles.(3) 'annuity ' is described thus: "An annuity is a right to receive de anno in annum a certain sum; that may be given for life, or for a series of years it may be given during any particular period, or in perpetuity; and there is also this singularity about annuities, that although payable out of the personal assets, they are capable of being given for the purpose of devolution, as real estate; they may be given to a man and his heirs, and may go to the heir as real estate; so an annuity may be given to a man and the heirs of his body; that does not, it is true, constitute an estate tail, but that is by reason of the Statute De Donis, which contains only the word 'tenements ' and an annuity, though a hereditament, is not a tenement; and an annuity so given is a base fee.