The Bigland family bear two huge wheat-ears, which, having both stalk and leaves, are blazoned "couped and bladed." As in the case of trees, when represented _growing_, wheat-ears are described as "issuant out of a mount, bladed and eared." Three ears of Guinea wheat, "bearded like barley," are borne by Dr. Grandorge (Dr. Big-barley); three "rie stalks slipped and bladed" occur in the arms of the Rye family; whilst "five garbes" (sheaves) were granted to Ralph Merrifield by James I. Wheat-sheaves (garbes) are very favourite charges. Lord Cloncurry bears three garbes in chief; Sir Montague Cholmeley bears a garbe in the base of his shield, as does also the Marquis of Cholmondeley. Garbes and wheat-ears were also much used as crests. The Shakerleys have a sheaf of corn for their crest, on the left of which is a little rabbit, erect, and resting her forefeet on the garbe; Sir Edward Denny's crest is a hand holding five wheat-ears; whilst Sir George Crofton has seven ears of corn as his crest. Though quite out of order amongst cereals, we may mention what is, I believe, a rather rare example of the representation of the fern in heraldry, Sir Edward Buckley's crest--a bull's head out of a fern brake. CHAPTER VI ANIMAL CHARGES In dealing with charges of living creatures, we shall observe the following order: (_a_) "Animals of all sort living on the earth"; (_b_) "such as live above the earth"; (_c_) "watery creatures"; (_d_) "man." _First_, amongst the animals, come those with undivided feet--elephant, horse, ass. _Second_, those with cloven feet--bull, goat, stag, etc. _Third_, those beasts that have many claws--lions, tigers, bears, etc. To blazon animal charges, many special terms are required, describing their person, limbs, actions, attitudes, etc. "And as," says Guillim, "these beasts are to explain a history, they must be represented in that position which will best show it." [Illustration: FIG. 38.] [Illustration: FIG. 39.] Moreover, each beast was to be portrayed in its most characteristic attitude. Thus, a lion should be drawn erect with wide-open jaws and claws extended, as if "about to rend or tear." In this posture he is blazoned _rampant_ (Fig. 38). A leopard must be represented going "step by step" fitting his natural disposition; he is then _passant_. A deer or lamb "being both gentle creatures," are said to be _trippant_ (Fig. 39), and so on; the heraldic term varying, you understand, to suit the particular animal charge that is being blazoned. Living charges when represented on a shield must always, with rare exceptions, appear to be either looking or moving towards the dexter side of the shield (see Fig. 39). The right foot or claw is usually placed foremost as being the most honourable limb (see Fig. 38).