ield. The saltier, if uncharged, occupies one-fifth of
the field; if charged, one-third.

[Illustration: Saltier]

Ex. Gules, a saltier, argent.

Like the cross, the saltier may be borne engrailed, wavy, &c., and the
termination of the arms of the saltier varied; but there are not so
many examples of the variation of the form in the saltier as in the
cross.

CHAP. V.

SUBORDINATE ORDINARIES.

In order more particularly to distinguish the subordinates in an army
(the chieftains of different countries alone being entitled to the
preceding marks of honour), other figures were invented by ancient
armorists, and by them termed subordinate ordinaries. Their names and
forms are as follows:--

[Illustration: Gyron]

The _gyron_ is a triangular figure formed by drawing a line from the
dexter angle of the chief of the shield to the fess point, and an
horizontal line from that point to the dexter side of the shield.

The field is said to be _gyrony_ when it is covered with gyrons.

[Illustration: Gyrony]

Ex. Gyrony of eight pieces, argent and gules.

[Illustration: Canton]

The _canton_ is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying
about one-eighth of the field; it is placed over the chief at the
dexter side of the shield: it may be charged, and when this is the
case, its size may be increased. The canton represents the banner of
the ancient Knights Banneret. The canton in the example is marked A.

See KNIGHTS BANNERET in the Dictionary.

The _lozenge_ is formed by four equal and parallel lines but not
rectangular, two of its opposite angles being acute, and two obtuse.

[Illustration: Lozenge]

Ex. Argent, a lozenge, vert.

The _fusil_ is narrower than the lozenge, the angles at the chief and
base being more acute, and the others more obtuse.

[Illustration: Fusil]

Ex. Argent, a fusil, purpure.

The _mascle_ is in the shape of a lozenge but perforated through its
whole extent except a narrow border.

[Illustration: Mascle]

Ex. Gules, a mascle, argent.

The _fret_ is formed by two lines interlaced in saltier with a mascle.

[Illustration: Fret]

Ex. Azure, a fret, argent.

_Fretty_ is when the shield is covered with lines crossing each other
diagonally and interlaced.

[Illustration: Fretty]

Ex. Gules, fretty of ten pieces, argent.

At the present time it is not usual to name the number of pieces, but
merely the word fretty.

The _pile_ is formed like a wedge, and may