The field is filled with small potents, ranged in lines, azure and argent.

[Ill.u.s.tration: POTENT COUNTER-POTENT.]

POTENT COUNTER-POTENT. The heads of the crutches or potents touch each other in the centre of the shield.

CHAP. III.

LINES USED IN PARTING THE FIELD.

Escutcheons that have more than one tincture are divided by lines; the straight lines are either perpendicular |, horizontal --, diagonal line dexter , and diagonal line sinister /.

Curved and angular lines are numerous, and each has an Heraldic name expressive of its form. The names and figures of those most commonly used by English armorists are as follow:--

Engrailed

[Ill.u.s.tration: Engrailed]

Invected

[Ill.u.s.tration: Invected]

Wavy, or unde

[Ill.u.s.tration: Wavy]

Embattled, or crenelle

[Ill.u.s.tration: Embattled]

Nebule

[Ill.u.s.tration: Nebule]

Indented

[Ill.u.s.tration: Indented]

Dancette

[Ill.u.s.tration: Dancette]

Angled

[Ill.u.s.tration: Angled]

Bevilled

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bevilled]

Escartelle

[Ill.u.s.tration: Escartelle]

Nowy, or franche

[Ill.u.s.tration: Nowy]

Dove-tailed

[Ill.u.s.tration: Dove-tailed]

Embattled grady: sometimes called battled embattled

[Ill.u.s.tration: Embattled grady]

Potent

[Ill.u.s.tration: Potent]

Double arched

[Ill.u.s.tration: Double arched]

Arched or enarched

[Ill.u.s.tration: Arched]

Urdee

[Ill.u.s.tration: Urdee]

Radient

[Ill.u.s.tration: Radient]

If a shield is divided into four equal parts, it is said to be quartered: this may be done two ways, viz.--

[Ill.u.s.tration: Quartered per cross]

QUARTERED PER CROSS--The shield is divided into four parts, called quarters, by an horizontal and perpendicular line, crossing each other in the centre of the field, each of which is numbered.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Quartered per Saltier]

QUARTERED PER SALTIER, which is made by two diagonal lines, dexter and sinister, crossing each other in the centre of the field.