EMINENT FAMILIES. 



189 



he had a comparatively high birth-rank. In addition to this we 

 find that these brothers came from the youngest branch of the ducal 

 family. We thus see that number 4 was the termination of four 

 or five generations, in all but one of which the birth-rank was high. 

 In number 3 there was a considerable accumulation from number 2, 

 and as number 3 was active and slightly above the average age 

 when number 4 was born, number 4 was an advance on number 3. 

 The accumulated mental power of number 4 was run down to a 



FIG. IO. BIRTH-RANKS OF THE CONDES. 



low ebb by three successive births at early ages, with the conse- 

 quence that one birth at a late age did not suffice to re-establish it. 

 Number 3 and number 8 are, however, ranked next to number 4 

 in greatness, and much above the other members of the family. 

 Number 7 is the least important of all of them, and he is the termi- 

 nation of three successive early reproductions. The one of next 

 least importance is number 9, who was born when number 8 was 

 only nineteen. 



From these we may draw the general conclusion that two gen- 



