GENEALOGY. -09 



:hc fixtcen quarters is abundantly more eafy, 

 as they do not go back to thole ages when writ- 

 ing \vas very uncommon. They may without 

 fcruple of confcier.ce aflert upon oath, their no- 

 bility of four descents by fixteen quarters, as is 

 the cuftom ; whereas, in the proofs by thirty 

 two quarters, it is frequently neccflary to admit 

 infcriptions, epitaphs, and other vouchers of a 

 very equivocal nature. 



VIII. The noblefs form genealogical plans 

 or trees of their families, where the chief, the 

 founder, or the fir ft of whom they have any 

 knowledge, is placed at the bottom, as the 

 trunck from whence all the branches moot that 

 form the tree , at the extremities of thefe branch- 

 es are painted the coats of arms of each anceftor 

 in their natural colours, according to the rules 

 of blazonry , fo that the youngeft or exifting 

 branch of the family is at the top of the tree. 

 We fometimes alfo fee, though but rarely, ge- 

 nealogical columns, the fufts of which are in 

 form of a genealogical tree, whofe branches that 

 furround the column bear die arms, cyphers or 

 medals of a family. We think we ought not to 

 lay more of fo dubious a icicnce, and where 

 there is fo little certainty of the truth, that it may 

 be properly called the art 01 



tures. 



IX. To conclude, the gcnealogic fyftcm 

 'jign and illuftrious houlcs, and the digni- 



