Quod Deus Opt. Max. bene vertat: Ex decreto et authoritate amplissimi Iurisconsultorum Ordinis in inclyta & celeberrima Basiliensium Academia, pro insigniis & privilegiis Doctoralibus in U.I. consequendis, De Successionibus ab Intestato & cognationis gradibus, eorumque computatione, subsequentes Conclusiones (1589) - Page 15

LXXVIII.

Degrees, as Paulus warns, are spoken of in the likeness of stairs or slopes: which we ascend in such a way that we pass from one to the next, that is, to him who is as if born from him.

LXXIX.

A degree, therefore, is nothing other than the passage from one relative to the next.

LXXX.

Hence, by Civil Law, there are as many degrees as there are passages to a more remote person: or, there are as many degrees as there are generations.

LXXXI.

However, three lines or orders of degrees are found: the first of which is the upper one of ascendants, the second is the lower one of descendants, and the third is the transversal or oblique one of those coming from the side.

LXXXII.

Ascendants are those who begot us; such as parents: and the line of descendants is prior and more powerful than these in succeeding.

LXXXIII.

Descendants are called those who were born from parents; such as children: whose cause in succeeding, as has been said, is primary.

LXXXIIII.

Those coming from the side are those who have the same stock and root among themselves; such as brothers and sisters, and their children, etc.

LXXXV.

The upper and lower order or relationship begins from the first degree: but from the transversal or side, there is no first degree; and therefore it begins from the second.

LXXXVI.

Consequently, the enumeration of the degrees of ascendants and descendants is easy: since there are as many degrees as there are generations: and the father and mother constitute the first degree ascending; the son and daughter descending; the grandfather and grandson the second; the great-grandfather and great-grandson the third; and so on.

LXXXVII.

In the transversal line, the method of counting generations differs not at all from the upper one.