Chapter X

. They include the _Sun_, the _Moon_, the _Stars_; also such

terrestrial objects as _Trees_, _Flowers_, _Fruits_, _Sheaves and Ears of Corn_, _Leaves_, _Chaplets_, _&c._ And with these Charges I may group the always beautiful Fleur de Lys, and the Trefoil, Quatrefoil, Cinquefoil, and Sixfoil.

Of the various Artificial Figures and Devices that Heralds have charged upon Shields of Arms, it will be unnecessary for me to give detailed descriptions, except when either the heraldic name may require explanation, or some special circumstances connected with any particular figure or device may impart to it peculiar claims for attention. Again I refer to the "Glossary" for notices and examples of all Charges of this class--Annulets, Buckles, Castles, Crowns, Cups, Horseshoes, Keys, Knots, Sickles, Stirrups, Trumpets, and many others.

[Illustration: No. 166A.--Crescent]

[Illustration: No. 166B.--Increscent]

[Illustration: No. 166C.--Decrescent]

In blazoning Charges of various classes, Heralds employ _appropriate Epithets and descriptive Terms_, of which the following are characteristic examples:--The _Sun_ is "_in splendour_." The _Moon_, when full, is "_in her complement_": she is a "_Crescent_" when she appears in No. 166, A: she is "_Increscent_" when as in No. 166, B: and she is "_Decrescent_" when as in No. 166, C. Animals and Birds of prey are said to be "_armed_" of their talons, teeth, and claws. All horned animals, also, except Stags and Antelopes, are "_armed_" of their horns; and a Cock is "_armed_" of his spurs; whilst Griffins and birds of prey are "_armed_" of their beaks and claws (_i.e._ the part of the leg which is unfeathered). Animals are "_hoofed_" or "_unguled_" of their hoofs; and "_langued_" of their tongues. Fierce animals are "_vorant_" of their prey, when represented in the act of devouring it. Deer, when reposing, are "_lodged_" Nos. 25 and 26: when standing, and looking out from the Shield, No. 167, "_at gaze_": when in easy motion, they are termed "_trippant_," or sometimes the word "_tripping_" is substituted, No. 168: and when in rapid motion, they are "_courant_," "_at speed_," or sometimes described as "_in full course_," No. 169. The male Stag is sometimes termed a "_Hart_," and the female a "_Hind_." There is really a distinction between the Buck and the Stag, but it is very usually disregarded in Heraldry. The antlers of the Hart are "_Attires_," their branches are "_Tynes_"; and they are said to be "_attired_" of their antlers. A Stag's head full-faced, but without the neck, as No. 170, is "_cabossed_" or "_caboshed_."

[Illustration: No. 167.--At Gaze.]

[Illustration: No. 169.--At Speed.]

[Illustration: No. 168.--Tripping.]

[Illustration: No. 170.--Stag's Head Cabossed.]

Eagles and Hawks with expanded wings, as in No. 206, are "_displayed_." Expanded wings may be "_elevated_," or, if drooping, "_inverted_" or "_in lure_." Birds about to take wing are "_rising_"; when in flight, they are "_volant_"; when at rest, they are "_close_." A Bird "_trusses_" its prey. A Peacock having its tail expanded is "_in its pride_"; and this same expression is applied to the Turkey. A Pelican, when feeding its young, is said to be "_in her piety_," but may be merely "_vulning herself_" if the young are not represented. A Swan, when blazoned "_proper_," is white with red legs and black beak.

Fish, represented swimming in fesse, are "_naiant_"; if they are in pale, they are "_hauriant_," No. 164; but if their heads are to the base, the term "_urinant_" is said to apply, but I cannot say I have so far come across an authenticated instance of the use of this word; if their bodies are bent, as the Dolphin is generally represented, they are "_embowed_," No. 163. Fish, also, are said to be "_finned_" of their fins. Insects are "_volant_." Reptiles are "_gliding_"; or, if they are twined into knots, "_nowed_." Trees of mature growth are "_accrued_"; when with leaves, "_in foliage_" (but these two terms are so seldom used that they may be entirely disregarded); with fruit or seeds, "_fructed_" or "_seeded_"; if without leaves, "_blasted_"; and if their roots are exposed, "_eradicated_." Branches or leaves torn off are "_slipped_."

The terms which denote the attitudes of Lions, all of them described in the next chapter, are equally applicable to other animals. Some other descriptive terms, not noticed here, will be found in the "Glossary" in

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