(Vol. viii., pp. 37. 83. 277. 329.)
I broached a theory with a concluding remark that it would give me great
pleasure to see one more reasonable take its place. I fear that, if all
your readers anxious to clear up an obscure point in an interesting science
take no more trouble than P. P., we shall find ourselves no {449} nearer
our object in the middle of your eightieth volume than we are now in your
eighth.
What P. P. is pleased to term the "routine" reason is after all but one
among many, and is not better substantiated than some of the others quoted
by me; for though the lozenge has a "supposed" resemblance to the distaff
or fusil, heraldically it is but a supposed one, and by most writers the
difference is very distinctly indicated.
Boyer says:
"A fusil is a bearing in heraldry made in the form of a spindle, with
its yarn or thread wound about it. _Fusils are longer than lozenges_,
and taper or pointed at both ends."
The same author thus describes a lozenge:
"A Rhimbus, in geometry, is a figure of four equal and parallel sides,
but not rectangular."
Robson says:
"Fusil, a kind of spindle used in spinning. Its formation should be
particularly attended to, _as few painters or engravers make a
sufficient distinction between the fusil and lozenge_."