98 Hints on Landscape Gardening 



in shape c (see Plate VII, c) with some incidental 

 nuances in the detail of the line. 



Where the water flowing swiftly into a basin 

 forms an island at the inlet, it will take about 

 the shape oid (Plate VII, d) ; following the outer 

 banks, the swiftly flowing stream, by its strong 

 pressure on both sides, will somewhat round the 

 ends. But if the river widens into a lake by 

 gently filling a deep basin, rather than by rush- 

 ing into it, then e (Plate VII, e) may be assumed 

 as the natural shape, for here the river does not 

 round off both sides, but forms, in a slow cur- 

 rent on the right, a long spit on the left bank, 

 beyond which the quiet water, no longer in a 

 powerful stream, gently flows round the higher 

 ground. Very seldom, on the other hand, does 

 a stream flow into a basin as is generally made 

 out, after the model of a bottle. (See Plate 

 VII, /.) 



Let the surface and shelving of an island on 

 the same principle be constructed in accordance 

 with the probable effect of the terrain and the 

 water which washes it. The equal shelving on 

 all sides with equality of height throughout is 

 the commonest mistake. I fell into this error 

 at first. (See the objectionable form g and the 

 better form h^ in Plate VII ; g is bad and h is 

 good,) 



But even the best forms may be bettered by 

 plantations skillfully arranged, covering the spots 

 that appear less satisfactory and giving more 

 variety to the surface without disturbing the 



