92 



THE ALDER. 



or other on their banks. Where they most 

 flourish is in good soil, which is at all times a 

 little raised above the level of the water ; for 

 although they will grow in swampy ground, they 

 prefer places where their roots are not always 

 covered with water. It has been observed that 

 their shade is much less injurious to vegetation 

 than that of other trees : 



The Alder, whose fat shadow noiirisheth — 

 Each plant set neere to him long flourisheth. 



Browne. 



The haunts of the Alder being the places where 

 beyond all others we should expect to find pic- 

 turesque scenery, it cannot fail to form a part of 

 many a beautiful landscape, though it contributes 

 but little itself, the outline of the tree being 

 in most cases too formal, and the foliage not 

 broken into varied masses. Yet it has its ad- 

 mirers. Gilpin considers it, ^^the most pic- 

 turesque of the aquatic trees, except the weeping 

 willow. He who would see the Alder in perfec- 

 tion must follow the banks of the Mole, in Surrey, 

 through the sweet vales of Dorking and Mitcham 

 into the groves of Esher. The Mole, indeed, is 

 far from being a beautiful river ; it is a silent and 

 sluggish stream ; but what beauty it has it owes 

 greatly to the Alder, which everywhere fringes 

 its meadows, and in many places forms very 

 pleasing scenes." Sir T. D. Lauder is of the 

 same opinion : It is," he says, always asso- 

 ciated in our minds with river scenery, both of 

 that tranquil description most frequently to be 

 met with in the vales of England, and with that 

 of a wilder and more stirring cast, which is to be 



