HELMET, in heraldry. From the early simple form known as the Norman, the hel met, at a later period, came to vary in shape according to the degree of the person who wore it, and helmets were set over coats of arms to bear the crest, and indicate by their form the rank of the bearer. The part of the helmet which opens to show the face is called the visor or beaver (to allow of drinking). The following forms of helmet are in use in English heraldry: 1. The helmet assigned to the king and princes of the blood royal which is full-faced, composed of gold lined with crimson, and has the vizor divided by six projecting bars. 2. The helmet of the nobility, of steel, with five bars of gold. When placed on the shield, it is exhibited in profile. 3. Knights and baronets have the full-faced steel helmet with the vizor thrown back and without bars. 4. The helmet of esquires, always represented in profile, of steel with the vizor closed. These
distinctions are of comparatively recent date. A much greater variety of helmets is in use in continental heraldry. A helmet is never placed over the arms of any woman except the sovereign. .
Cassis, a genus of gasteropodous mollusks of the family buccinider; the animal much resembling the common whelk (q.v.), with which it also nearly agrees in habits; the shell swollen, rather thick and solid, with bold ridges, a short spire and a long aperture, the outer lip toothed, the canal recurved. The species, which are pretty numerous, are all natives of tropical seas. Most of them are beautiful; and they are used by engravers for making cameos, the differently colored layers producing exquisite effects when skillfully cut.