Fictitious and Symbolic Creatures in Art by John Vinycomb [1909]

This is a review of the folk-lore of animals, mostly of a legendary or purely symbolic nature, particularly as appearing in English Heraldry. It's a gold-mine of lore about such fantastic beasts as the hydra, the basilisk, the phoenix, as well as angels, dragons, mermaids, sphynxes and so on. Vinycomb also covers heraldic versions of actual animals, such as the 'Tyger,' and the Heraldic Pelican and Dolphin. Included are over a hundred illustrations of fantastic creatures. Overall, a delight for browsing.--J.B. Hare, May 25, 2009.

Notes on Animated Beings in Heraldic Art

Celestial Beings

Chimerical Creatures of the Dragon and Serpent kind

Other Chimerical Creatures and Heraldic Beasts

Fictitious Creatures of the Sea