courage, strength, prudence, swiftness, &c.

The application to certain exercises, such as war, hunting, music,
fishing, &c., has furnished lances, swords, armour, musical
instruments, architecture, columns, chevrons, builders' tools, &c.
Human bodies, or distinct parts of them, are frequently used as
charges. Trees, plants, fruits, and flowers have also been admitted
to denote the rarities, advantages, and singularities of different
countries.

The relation of some creatures, figures, &c. to particular names
has been a fruitful source for variety of arms. Thus, the family of
Coningsby bears three conies; of Arundel, six swallows; of Corbet, a
raven; of Urson, a bear; of Camel, a camel; of Starky, a stork; of
Castleman, a castle triple-towered; of Shuttleworth, three
weaver's shuttles. Hundreds of other names might be given, but the
before-mentioned will be sufficient to show the reader the origin of
many singular charges in coats of arms.

Not only were natural and artificial figures used, but the lack of
information on Zoology and other branches of Natural History led to
the introduction of fabulous animals, such as dragons, griffins,
harpies, wiverns, &c. A great number of charges, indeed most of them
that require explanation, will be found in the Dictionary of Heraldic
Terms, which will prevent the necessity of describing them more at
large in this part of the book.


THE EXTERNAL ORNAMENTS OF ESCUTCHEONS.