The second group contains the five Roundles of the _Colours_, which are _globular_, and are usually shaded accordingly. The _Torteau_, No. 152, in the plural _Torteaux_, is gules: the _Hurt_ is azure: the _Pellet_ or _Ogress_ is sable: the _Pomme_ is vert: and the _Golpe_ is purpure. These distinctive titles, which are more calculated to perplex the student than to simplify his study, are of comparatively recent origin, the early Heralds having used the terms "_Bezant_," "_Plate_," and "_Torteau_," with the general designations "_Roundle_" and "_Pellet_," adding the tinctures for the others. Examples:--_Az., bezantée_, for WM. DE LA ZOUCHE: _Or, on a fesse gu. three plates_, for ROGER DE HUNTINGFIELD: _Arg., ten torteaux, four, three, two, one_, for ALEX. GIFFARD (all H. 3). See also Nos. 80, 82.
A circular figure or Roundle that is _barry wavy arg. and az._, is blazoned as a "_Fountain_," No. 153. Examples:--_Arg., three fountains_, for WELLES: _Arg., a Chevron sable between three fountains_, borne by a family named _Sykes_, their name being an ancient term signifying a well or fountain. An _Annulet_, or a plain ring, No. 154, was sometimes blazoned as a "_false Roundle_"--a Roundle, that is, pierced, and having its central area removed.
_Miscellaneous Charges:-- Human Beings-- Animals-- Birds-- Fish-- Reptiles and Insects-- Imaginary Beings-- Natural Objects-- Various Artificial Figures and Devices-- Appropriate Descriptive Epithets._
"The Formes of pure celestiall bodies mixt with grosse terrestrials; earthly animals with watery; sauage beasts with tame; fowles of prey with home-bred; these again with riuer fowles; reptiles with things gressible; aery insecta with earthly; also things naturall with artificiall." --GUILLIM'S "Display of Heraldry," A.D. 1611.
Thus, in his own quaint fashion, the enthusiastic old Herald of the seventeenth century indicates the number and variety of the Charges, which in process of time had been introduced into Armory even before his era. In earlier days the Charges of Heraldry were much less varied, comparatively few in their numbers, and generally of a simple character. It will readily be understood, however, that fresh figures and devices would continually appear in blazon; and also that these, in their turn, would lead the way for the introduction of further varieties and new modifications.
