The Technical Corps or Corps du Génie and the Commissary Corps are called the naval auxiliary corps.

GÉNIE.

COMMISSARIAT.

These corps at present have relative military rank, but measures have been taken to give both a strictly civil organization, as it is considered that their duties are not compatible with military subordination.

The Machinists’ Corps comprises but three grades—

These grades are entirely recruited from the master-machinists or petty-officers grade of firemen. The grade of Chief Machinist, which was the highest until of late years, has been abolished, the duties being performed by officers of the Corps du Génie.

For the purpose of naval inscription the coast of Italy is divided into three departments, Spezzia, Naples, and Venice, subdivided into 22 districts, under controls similar to those of France. All persons interested in a trade bearing upon navigation are liable for service on reaching the age of 20. They are then drawn into one of two divisions according to lot. The first is under obligations to render service for four years either at sea or in the dock-yards, at the end of which time they are granted a leave for six years, which, though not confining them to the country, may be rescinded at any time. At the end of the tenth year they pass into the Second Reserve, and are not liable except for extraordinary service. The second division receive at once a leave for ten years, at the end of which time they pass to the Second Reserve. There is also a system of voluntary enlistment and apprenticeship.