* the directionality of this graph.
   */
  protected final void validateEndpoints(EndpointPair<?> endpoints) {
    checkNotNull(endpoints);
    checkArgument(isOrderingCompatible(endpoints), ENDPOINTS_MISMATCH);
  }

  protected final boolean isOrderingCompatible(EndpointPair<?> endpoints) {
    return endpoints.isOrdered() == this.isDirected();
  }

  @Override
  public final boolean equals(@CheckForNull Object obj) {