PROPER.  This word is used to denote that animals introduced as charges in an escutcheon appear in their natural colour.  Modern writers on Heraldry consider this word superfluous, as the omission of the name of any metal or tincture is quite sufficient to make any person conclude that a lion, horse, or other animal is to be represented as it appears in nature.

[Illustration:  Purpure]

PURPURE.  The colour of purple, described in engraving by lines drawn diagonally from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield.

PURSUIVANTS.  Four officers of the Heralds’ College, whose duty it is to attend the King-at-Arms on public occasions, and preside over certain departments of the Heralds’ Office.

They are called—­Rouge Croix,
                 Blue Mantle,
                 Rouge Dragon,
                 Portcullis.

They are entitled to rank as gentlemen, but not esquires.

[Illustration:  Quartered]

QUARTERED. A shield divided into four equal parts by a cross is said to be quartered.  The quarter occupying the dexter chief is marked 1, or the first quarter; that occupying the sinister chief, 2; the dexter base, 3; the sinister base, 4; as in the annexed example.

QUARTERLY.  This term is used to signify that the shield is quartered.  In describing the royal arms of England we should say—­Quarterly, first and fourth gules, three lions passant guardant, or.  Second, or, a lion rampant gules, within a double tressure of the same, flory and counter flory.  Third, azure, a harp or, stringed, argent.

[Illustration:  Quartered or Parted per Saltier]

QUARTERED OR PARTED PER SALTIER.  A field divided by diagonal lines crossing each other in the centre of the field.

[Illustration:  Quarter foil]

QUARTER FOIL.  A four-leaved flower.

QUARTERINGS.  An escutcheon divided into any number of squares is said to contain as many quarterings; they may be as numerous as the arms required.  An escutcheon containing a number of quarterings is called a genealogical achievement.

QUADRATE.  Square.  See CROSS QUADRATE.

QUARTER PIERCED. See CROSS QUARTER PIERCED.

RADIENT.  Any charge having rays or beams about it.

[Illustration:  Radient]

Ex.  Azure, a pale, or, radient.

RAGULY.  Any bearing that is ragged, like the trunk or limbs of a tree lopped of its branches, is said to be raguly.  See CROSS.

RAMPANT.  Any beast in a fighting attitude.  See LION RAMPANT.

RAY.  A stream of light proceeding from a luminous body.

[Illustration:  Ray]

Ex.  Azure, a ray of the sun issuing out of the dexter corner of the escutcheon.  The lines on each side are not noticed.

REST. The figure inserted in the illustration of the word “clarion” is by some writers on Heraldry thought to represent a rest for a lance, and they give the charge that name.  See CLARION.