In conclusion, we must mention what Guillim calls "amphibious and exorbitant creatures," which figure as charges in heraldry. Under the amphibious charges we have the beaver, seal, otter, and others. With the beaver we are fairly familiar, as nowadays it occurs so frequently in the armorial bearings of persons connected in any way with Canada. It is well represented in the arms of Lord Strathcona.
Fig. 51.
The otter is borne by the Setons of Mounie, and also occurs as a supporter in the arms of Lord Balfour of Burleigh.
As to what Guillim calls "exorbitant creatures," or, so to speak, monsters, we may mention the wyvern, a species of dragon; the griffin, supposed to have the body and claws of a lion, with the hooked beak, piercing eyes, and wings of an eagle; the dragon; the unicorn, whose appearance is too well known to need description; the cockatrice; the mermaid; the sea-dog, or marine wolf; and, lastly, the harpy. Three wyverns are borne by the Drake family, and two fiendish-looking wyverns act as supporters to the shield of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh.
The red dragon is, of course, the badge of Wales; and three dragons' heads are borne by the Stanleys. The heraldic dragon is always represented as a winged monster with four legs.
With the unicorn, the sinister supporter of our Royal Arms, every child is well acquainted. It represents Scotland, the royal shield of that country being supported by two unicorns. Of all the mythical creatures, it is perhaps the favourite in our heraldry. Not only does it occur repeatedly as a supporter, notably in the armorial bearings of Lord Chetwynd, Lord Colchester, and Lord Manners, who each have two unicorns, but we find it constantly represented on coats of arms.
According to some old writers, it was deemed a very honourable charge, because, no one ever having succeeded in capturing this fabulous creature, either dead or alive, they account for this stubborn fact in the following cunning fashion: "The unicorn hath too much greatness of mind to suffer himself to be taken alive, choosing rather to die than to be taken captive." Therefore, a unicorn was considered a very suitable charge for a warrior, who should, of course, share that creature's "greatness of mind."
The Farrington family bear three unicorns; and the unicorn's head is not uncommon in coats of arms. The Goston family bear one as a single charge; one Anthony Smith, bears two; whilst three are borne by a family of Shelley.
The griffin is very common in heraldry, either as a crest or a supporter. Lord Churchill of Wychwood has a griffin for his crest and one for his dexter supporter.