HE It 
bird : in the blazoning of fowls which make 
much use of their wings, if they are not 
exhibited spread, they must be termed 
close. The parts and members are gene- 
rally borne both couped and erazed, and 
that on or between any of the honourable 
ordinaries. Birds are considered a more 
noble bearing than fish. (See fig. 50.) Er- 
mine, an eagle displayed gules. 
Fishes are borne in many positions, di- 
rectly upright, embovved, extended, and 
indorsed, and surmounting each other, fret- 
ted 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 between any of 
the honourable ordinaries. 
There are, besides, animals or monsters, 
(see fig. 5 2.) Argent, a dragon’s head erazed 
vert, holding in his mouth a sinister hand, 
couped 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 shew how it is placed in 
various cases, on the shield, above rhe coro- 
net, and in others without the latter sym- 
bol of rank, which equally marks the grada- 
tion of title with the helmet. The crown 
or coronet is more ancient than the helmet, 
and was invented as a testimony Of triumph 
and victory; the radiated crown was as- 
signed 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, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Ba- 
ron; besides ducal, mural, naval, civic, 
celestial, custom, valary, &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 heraldic purposes. The 
manner of placing them on shields is shewn 
with in figs. 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 Gentlemen. 
The wreath is a roll of silk, of two colours 
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 
HER 
armour of the head, and is said to be de- 
rived from crista, or cocks comb. The 
original nse appears to have been a protec- 
tion from the edge of the sword, when aim- 
ed at the upper part of the skull. Gwiliim 
asserts, that the crest, or cognizance, should 
possess the highest place next to the mantle, 
yet so as to permit the interposition of a 
scroll; wreath, chapeau, or crown. The 
knights who celebrated justs wore plumes, 
of the heron and ostrich, feathers, with 
crests of various materials, Which were 
altered at pleasure. They are of great 
antiquity, and were of superior honour, 
as no person was admitted to tilt at a 
just till he had given proof of his noble 
descent, and they were limited to those 
only, (See fig. 61) which exhibits a crest 
on tire wreath. 
The mantle is the drapery that is thrown 
around a coat of arms : it is doubled, of 
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 supporters are 
confined to Peers, and Knights of the four 
orders and proxies of the Princes of the 
Blood Royal, at installations, except by 
an especial grant from the Sovereign. 
Heralds. The heralds, which are six 
in number, are distinguished by the names 
of Richmond, Lancaster, Chester, Windsor, 
Somerset, and York, and are all equal in 
degree, only preceding according to the 
seniority of their creation, their patents 
being under the great seal of England. 
HERB, in botany, is that part of the 
plant which rises from the root, and is ter- 
minated by the fructification. It compre- 
hends the trunk and stem ; the leaves ; the 
fulcra, or supports; and the buds, or, as 
they are sometimes denominated, the win- 
ter quarters of the future vegetable. 
Herbaceous plants, in botany, are those 
Which have succulent stems that die down 
to the ground every year ; those are annual 
that perish stem and root every year; bi- 
ennial, which subsist by the roots two 
years ; perennial, which are perpetuated by 
their roots for a series of years, a new stem 
being produced every spring. 
HERCULES, in astronomy, a constel- 
lation of the northern hemisphere. See 
Astronomy. 
HEREDITAMENTS, all such things 
immoveable, whether corporeal or incor- 
poreal, as a man may leave to him and his 
heirs, by way of inheritance ; or which not 
being otherwise devised, naturally descend 
