ALDER. 63 



it should point out the river's approach, and 

 direct the angler where to 



" Throw nice judging the delusive fly." 



Or it should mark the spot, 



— « Where with the pool 



Is mix'd the trembling stream, or where it boils 

 Around the stone, or from the hollow'd bank 

 Reverted plays in undulating flow." Thomson. 



The highest pinnacle of the planter's per- 

 fection is to disguise art under the appearance 

 of nature ; which he can only do by atten- 

 tion to rural scenery, where we often meet 

 with plants more happily grouped than in the 

 studied views of the landscape gardener ; yet 

 we would say with Pomona's bard, 



" Attend my lays ; nor hence disdain to learn, 

 How Nature's gifts may be improved by art." 



The round dark leaves of the alder may be 

 associated with the long lanceolate and silver- 

 tinted foliage of the salix alba, or white 

 willow ; and where the stream widens into a 

 pool, the softer tints of the weeping willow 

 may lend its aid, and " Po's tall poplar" may 

 be employed to break the line. 



The alder is what botanists denominate an 

 androgynous plant, that is, producing both 

 male and female flowers separately, but on 



