TREATMENT OF WATER. 309 



two distinct parts, but it always indicates a shallowness or 

 want of depth where the water should be deepest. 



There are two situations where it is universally admitted 

 that islands may be happily introduced. These are, at the 

 inlet and the exit of the body of water. In many cases 

 where the stream which supplies the lake is not remark- 

 able for size, and will add nothing to the appearance of the 

 whole view from the usual points of sight, it may be con- 

 cealed by an island or small group of islands, placed at 

 some little distance in front of it. The head or dam of a 

 lake, too, is often necessarily so formal and abrupt, that it 

 is difficult to make it appear natural and in good keeping 

 with the rest of the margin. The introduction of an island 

 or two, placed near the main shore, on either side, and 

 projecting as far as possible before the dam, will greatly 

 diminish this disagreeable formality, particularly if well 

 clothed with a rich tuft of shrubs and overhanging bushes. 



Except in these two instances, islands should be 

 generally placed opposite the salient points of the banks, 

 or near those places where small breaks or promontories 

 run out ' into the water. In such situations, they will 

 increase the irregularity of the outline, and lend it 

 additional spirit and animation. Should they, on the other 

 hand, be seated in or near the marginal curve and inden- 

 tations, they will only serve to clog up these recesses ; 

 and while their own figures are lost in these little bays 

 where they are hidden, by lessening the already existing 

 irregularities, they will render the whole outline tame 

 and spiritless. 



On one or two of these small islands, little rustic 

 habitations, if it coincide with the taste of the proprietor, 

 may be made for different aquatic birds or waterfowl, 



