Fishes are borne in many positions, di rectly upright, embowed, extended, and indorsed, and surmounting each other, fretted and triangle. (See fig. 51.) Azure, three trouts fretted in triangle argent. Those upright, with fins, were anciently termed in blazoning hauriant, signifying the act of respiration, to accomplish which fish frequently rise to the surface for fresh air ; when borne transverse, or swimming, they were called in blazoning naiant. Fishes are borne in part, and on or be tween any of the honourable ordinaries.
There are, besides, animals or mon sters, (see fig. 52.) Argent, a dragon's head erazed vert, holding in his mouth a sinister hand, cooped at the wrist, gules.
Such are the peculiarities which dis tinguish the shield within the boundaries of its surface ; we shall now proceed to treat of the helmet, and show how it is placed in various cases, on the shield, above the coronet, and in others without the latter symbol of rank, which equally marks the gradation of title with the het.
met. The crown or coronet is more an cient than the helmet, and was invented as a testimony of triumph and victory ; the radiated crown was assigned to Emperors; but the coronet, with pearls on the circle, and foliage intervening, was not used in heraldry more than 300 years past. (See fig. 53-56) the coronet of a Duke, Mar quis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron ; besides ducal, mural, naval, civic, celestial, cus tom, vaiary, &c.
The helmet was worn in battle and at tournaments, both for use and distinction. Since the invention of fire arms it has been nearly confined to heraldric purposes. The manner of placing them on shields is shewn in fig. 57, 58, 59. Those right
in front, many bars, to Sovereigns ; those nearly in profile, to Peers ; when front and open, to Baronets and Knights ; in profile close, to esquires and Gentle men.
The wreath is a roll of silk, of two co lours, blazoned on the shield, and laid on the helmet as a support to the crest. See fig. 60.
The crest is the most elevated part of the armour of the head, and is said to be derived from crista,•or cock's•comb. The original use appears to have been a pro tection from the edge of the sword, when aimed at the upper part of the skull. Gwillim asserts, that the crest, or cogni zance, should possess 'the highest place next to the mantle, yet lo as to permit the interposition of a scroll, wreath, chapeau, or crown. The knights who celebrated jousts wore plumes of the heron and os trich feathers, with crests of various ma terials, which were altered at pleasure. They are of great antiquity, and were of superior honour, as no person was admit ted to tilt at a joust till he had given proof of his noble descent, and they were limit ed to those only, (see fig. 61) which ex hibits a crest on the wreath.
The mantle is the drapery that is thrown around a coat of arms ; it is doubled, or lined throughout by one of the furs.
Supporters are figures by the side of a shield, appearing as if they actually held it erect. (Fig. 62.) In England, sup porters are confined to peers, and knights of the four orders and proxies of the Princes of the Blood Royal, at installa tions, except by an especial grant from the Sovereign.