TKEBS IN CLUMPS. 237 



If three trees do not stand in a line they must 

 of course stand in a triangle, "wliich produces a 

 great variety of pleasing forms. 



If a fourth tree be added it stands beautifully 

 near the middle of the triangle, of whatever form 

 the triangle may be. If it be equilateral, and the 

 tree placed exactly in the middle, there are three 

 points, as you walk round the triangle, from 

 which it will appear offensively regular. Ke- 

 marks, however, of this kind affect only young 

 trees, while their stems are tall and similar. As 

 they increase, their different modes of growth, the 

 swelling of their roots, the habits they contract 

 from winds, their ramification, their lateral 

 branches, and other accidental circumstances, 

 introduce endless varieties among them, and blot 

 out many of those little formalities which attend 

 their youth; though, after all, the artificial 

 clump will rarely attain the beauty of the natural 



one. 



If the clump consist of still more trees than 

 four, a greater variety among the stems will, of 

 course, take place — double triangles, irregular 

 qmncunxes, and other pleasing shapes, which 



