v WOODS AND FIELDS 177 



added, first the power of redundance, the 

 mere quantity of foliage visible in the folds 

 and on the promontories of a single Alp 

 being greater than that of an entire ]owland 

 landscape (unless a view from some Cathedral 

 tower) ; and to this charm of redundance, that 

 of clearer visibility tree after tree being con- 

 stantly shown in successive height, one behind 

 another, instead of the mere tops and flanks 

 of masses as in the plains ; and the forms of 

 multitudes of them continually defined against 

 the clear sky, near and above, or against 

 white clouds entangled among their branches, 

 instead of being confused in dimness of 

 distance." l 



There is much that is interesting in the 

 relations of one species to another. Many 

 plants are parasitic upon others. The foliage 

 of the Beech is so thick that scarcely anything 

 will grow under it, except those spring plants, 

 such as the Anemone and the Wood Butter- 

 cup or Goldilocks, which flower early before 

 the Beech is in leaf. 



There are other cases in which the reason 



1 Ruskin. 



