78 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



the stake and the mat or furze covering in winter. The 

 results of the dotting system are_, a general monotony and 

 an insipidity^ which no variety in the character of the trees 

 or shrubs will ever overcome. There is the same breadth 

 of light and shade on this tree and on that — the same 

 patchwork of sunbeam and shadow wherever the eye can 

 turn. On the common or in the native forest we do 

 not find the wild denizens of nature put down at equal 

 distances. Where the hand of man has not interfered^ 

 the trees and bushes are seen in masses and irregular 

 clusters with single plants scattered round them, and 

 formijig groups of greater or less dimensions. In the 

 mass or group you will scarcely find half-a-dozen 

 plants growing at the same distance from each other. 

 The single trees are mostly in closer proximity to some 

 portion of the general group than to another. Hence 

 arise the infinitely- diversified beauties of the native 

 pine-forest, and the captivating and almost inimitable 

 grace of the wild oaks and birches on the sides of the 

 Highland glens; and hence, too, the ceaseless inter- 

 change of light and shade both on tree and turf, on 

 which the eye never fails to dwell with pleasure. In 

 short, grouping is everywhere productive of interest and 

 beauty ; dotting, of insipid monotony and languor. 



Outlines of Plantations in the Park. — In forming plan- 

 tations, it is necessary that the outlines of those por- 

 tions of them which require enclosure should be adjusted 

 with reference both to the general grouping and to the 

 surfaces on which they stand. Of course, these out- 

 lines should assume a pleasing variety of form. Large 

 curving sweeps seem to be favourite lines, and they 

 are occasionally fine, but they become insipid when 

 often reproduced. On the other hand, the fretwork of 



