CHAP. J. AS COMPONENT PARTS OF GENERAL SCENERY. 199 



larity, must exhibit the same number of tufts of the same size, and at the 

 same distance from each other, on both sides of the trunk, or centre line. 

 Such a tree, as a whole, we may suppose to be a regular globular figure ; 

 and it is a property of regularity, that one portion of any figure which is 

 regular, being separated from the rest, will still be regular. If the globular 

 head of the regular tree, therefore, were cut exactly in two, either vertically 

 or horizontally, the separated portions would each be regular figures, that is, 

 semi-globes. 



In a symmetrical tree, on the other hand, there may be the greatest irregu- 

 larity in the form and number of the parts, provided, only, that the same 

 quantity of these be distributed on each side of the central vertical line, or 

 trunk, of the tree. In the lower part of the tree, the branches or tuftings may 

 protrude chiefly on the right hand and be large ; and, on the upper part of the 

 tree, they may protrude chiefly on the left hand, and be small ; or they may 

 be of mixed sizes in both places. Now, it is the characteristic property of a 

 symmetrical figure, that, when it is cut in two, the parts separated, taken 

 singly, are neither regular nor symmetrical ; and, consequently, that they 

 will not produce a whole in any way, unless they are reunited as they were 

 before. By imagining such a tree as we have described, separated into two 

 portions by a central vertical line, it will readily occur to the mind, that 

 neither of these portions was either regular, or could in any way form a 

 whole. Whoever wishes to enter on the study of the expression of regularity, 

 symmetry, intricacy, and harmony, in detail, may refer to articles on the sub- 

 ject in the first volume of the Architectural Magazine. 



The lowest degree of organic beauty, in a tree, we may suppose to be the 

 form of a small-sized tree with a lumpish head, like the Pyrus yf ria; consti- 

 tuting one uniform mass, light on one side, and shaded on the other. A 

 higher degree of beauty will be, where the general form of the mass is that of 

 a cone, or where it is egg-shaped ; because these forms contain an additional 

 element of beauty to that constituting a globe, viz. that of elongation. A 

 still higher degree of beauty will be produced, where all the branches of the 

 tree, in the case either of a globe or cone, are distinctly marked and regularly 

 placed on each side of the trunk, as in the case of a fir ; and one still higher, 

 where the branches and tufts project irregularly, but are still so balanced, on 

 each side of the centre, as to form, on the whole, a symmetrical figure. Such 

 a figure, where the tufts are numerous, varies in point of size and disposition ; 

 and, where the symmetry is perfect, will exhibit the greatest organic beauty 

 of which trees are susceptible. 



The association of ideas connected with trees has given rise to what is 

 called their moral and historical exjiression. A tree which is young and grow- 

 ing freely, is said to be in good health, and thriving ; and one that is not 

 growing freely, is said to be sickly. A tree with a thick trunk and spreading 

 branches is said to be strong and vigorous ; one with a tall and slender trunk, 

 to be light and elegant ; one with a bending, or serpentine, wavy-like stem, as 

 we have before observed, to be graceful ; a tree with upright growths, to be 

 rigid ; and one in which the branches and spray droop, to be mournful, or 

 weeping. In like manner, there are particular associations connected with 

 trees which bear fruit ; with those which grow in particular soils or situations, 

 as mountains, marshes, &c. ; and with those which are applied to particular 

 purposes, as the oak for ship-building; the pine and fir for house-carpentry ; 

 the willow for basket-making ; the thorn for hedges ; and so on. The histo- 

 rical and geographical associations connected with trees are numerous, and of 

 great interest: for example, the platanus reminds us of the respect paid to this 

 tree in Persia ; the sweet bay, of its shoots being used by the Romans to 

 crown their warriors ; the vine and the olive, of their unknown antiquity, and 

 the highly prized liquors made from their fruits : and the cedar of Lebanon, 

 of the esteem in which its wood was held in the days of Solomon. A know- 

 ledge of all the different associations which belong to each particular kind of 



