The equal division of inheritance amongst kinsmen of equal degree _per capita_, in combination with the system of representation above described, is entirely consistent with the tribal conception of the household as hanging closely together, its members always looking up to their venerable head, in whom the ownership of the property vested, until by the death of older generations and the consequent subdivision, each in his turn became head of an οἶκος and owner of its share in the ancestral property. § 4. Qualifications For The Recognition Of Tribal Blood. (M79) It has been remarked above with what jealousy the purity of the blood of the community was guarded. No child was admitted into the kindred of its father until all concerned were fully convinced of the blamelessness of its pedigree. In such circumstances it was no easy matter to acquire the privileges attached to the possession of tribal or citizen blood. It seems to have been considered that however great otherwise the claims of a stranger might be, time alone could really render the qualifications of his family complete. (M80) Under the ancient Laws of Wales no stranger’s family could acquire the full privileges of a Welsh tribesman or Cymro, as regards location on land, until after many generations. But if they married Welshwomen, and held land from generation to generation, the _greatgrandsons_ became fully privileged tribesmen.(158) Similarly if a stranger voluntarily assumed the position of serf to a Welshman, and his descendants did not choose to depart, but remained in that position to the descendants of the Welshman, the _greatgrandsons_ of the Welshman became proprietors of the greatgrandsons of the stranger.(159) (M81) But for the stranger who merely resided in Wales and did not marry into any Welsh tribe the period of probation was _three times as long_—viz., the greatgrandson of the greatgrandson of his greatgrandson was the first to attain to full tribal privilege— “Strangers and their progeny are adjudged to be aillts; also a reputed son who shall be denied and his progeny, and evildoers of federate country and their progeny, _unto the end of the ninth descent_.”(160) _i.e._, the tenth man would no longer be reckoned an _aillt_ but a free Cymro. The issue of a stranger obtains the privilege of a tribesman _in the fourth person_ by legitimate marriages.(161) But the aillt or stranger, who dwells in Cymru, does not attain until the _end of the ninth descent_. So too inversely:—