68 FISHES OF FANCY. 



whale,* James V. of Scotland took his device of the whale 

 and little fish, with the motto " Urget majora." 



As perpetuating other old superstitions, should be cited 

 the sea-lions borne by the Earls of Thanet (where, says 

 Moule, " the inhabitants, partaking of the amphibious 

 character of the sea-lion, live by sea and land, making the 

 most of both elements as farmers and fishermen ") ; the 

 black sea-lions of the Harlands ; the blue one of the 

 Duckworths. The sea-horses, as an emblem of naval 

 dominion, are among the insignia of our Admiralty ; and, 

 among other coats-of-arms, are to be found in that of 

 David Garrick. The Earls of Cardigan also display the 

 sea-horse. 



Heraldic variations of other terrestrial monsters of fancy 

 are the sea-griffin (to be seen on a pillar in Iffley Church), 

 the sea-unicorn of the Prussian arms, and the antlered 

 fish. 



The mermaid and her relatives are especially popular 

 as devices ; and the half-human half-fish monster that 

 from the Cannes of ancient Chaldsea to the Nibanaba of 

 the Canadian Indian, has always held a place in popular 

 belief, is a very conspicuous, and indeed beautiful, device 

 in heraldry. In French heraldry the mermaid is called 

 the Siren ; in Germany she has two tails ; in the Italian 

 she carries a harp ; and in many cases in each country 

 she is crowned. In England it is a very ancient crest ; 

 and among others the Lords Byron, the Earls of Ports- 

 mouth (a black mermaid with golden hair), with the 

 families of Bonham, Broadhurst, Garnyss, Hastings, John- 

 son, Lapp, Lauzun, Mason, Rutherford, Moore, and many 



* " For whereas the whale hath no use of his eies (by reason of the 

 heavie weight of his eie-brows that cover them), the other swimmeth 

 before him.'" 



