ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 103 



of the peculiar expression of trees individually and in com. 

 position. The effect of a certain tree singly is often ex- 

 ceedingly diiferent from that of a group of the same trees. 

 To be fully aware of the effect of groups and masses 

 requires considerable study, and the progress in this study 

 may be greatly facilitated by a recurrence from groups in 

 nature to groups in pictures. 



As a further aid to this most desirable species of infor- 

 mation we shall offer a few remarks on the principal vari- 

 eties of character afforded by trees in composition. 

 ■'" Almost all trees, with relation to forms, may be divided ^ 

 into three kinds, viz. round-headed trees, oblong or pyra- 

 midal trees, and spiry-topped trees ; and so far as the 

 expressions of the different species comprised in these dis- 

 tinct classes are concerned, they are, especially when 

 viewed at a distance (as much of the wood seen in a 

 prospect of any extent necessarily must be), productive of 

 nearly the same general effects. 



Round-headed trees compose by far the largest of these 



divisions. The term includes all those trees which have 



an irregular surface in their boughs, more or 



less varied in outhne, but exhibiting in the 



C^s?*-,5°''°*' whole a top or head comparatively round ; 



headed Trees. r i j 



as the oak, ash, beech, and walnut. They are generally 

 beautiful when young, from their smoothness, and the ele- 

 gance of their forms; but often grow picturesque when 

 age and time have had an opportunity to produce their 

 wonted effects upon them. In general, however, the dif- 

 ferent round-headed trees may be considered as the most 

 appropriate for introduction in highly- cultivated scenery, 

 or landscapes where the character is that of graceful or 

 polished beauty ; as they harmonize with almost all scenes, 



