What is "singular succession"

Singular \Sin"gu*lar\ (s[i^][ng]"g[-u]*l[~e]r), a. [OE. singuler, F. singulier, fr. L. singularius, singularis, fr. singulus single. See Single, a.]

1. Separate or apart from others; single; distinct. [Obs.]
   --Bacon.

   And God forbid that all a company Should rue a singular man's folly.
   --Chaucer.

2. Engaged in by only one on a side; single. [Obs.]

   To try the matter thus together in a singular combat.
   --Holinshed.

3. (Logic) Existing by itself; single; individual.

   The idea which represents one . . . determinate thing, is called a singular idea, whether simple, complex, or compound.
   --I. Watts.

4. (Law) Each; individual; as, to convey several parcels of land, all and singular.

5. (Gram.) Denoting one person or thing; as, the singular number; -- opposed to dual and plural.

6. Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course; unusual; uncommon; strange; as, a singular phenomenon.

   So singular a sadness Must have a cause as strange as the effect.
   --Denham.

7. Distinguished as existing in a very high degree; rarely equaled; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional; as, a man of singular gravity or attainments.

8. Departing from general usage or expectations; odd; whimsical; -- often implying disapproval or censure.

   His zeal None seconded, as out of season judged, Or singular and rash.
   --Milton.

   To be singular in anything that is wise and worthy, is not a disparagement, but a praise.
   --Tillotson.

9. Being alone; belonging to, or being, that of which there is but one; unique.

   These busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.
   --Addison.

   Singular point in a curve (Math.), a point at which the curve possesses some peculiar properties not possessed by other points of the curve, as a cusp point, or a multiple point.

   Singular proposition (Logic), a proposition having as its subject a singular term, or a common term limited to an individual by means of a singular sign.
   --Whately.

   Singular succession (Civil Law), division among individual successors, as distinguished from universal succession, by which an estate descended in intestacy to the heirs in mass.

   Singular term (Logic), a term which represents or stands for a single individual.

   Syn: Unexampled; unprecedented; eminent; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon; rare; unusual; peculiar; strange; odd; eccentric; fantastic.