Vv'ATER. 



137 



centre of tlie lake ; at the same time they should not 

 have the appearance of being separated from the main 

 land merely by a narrow canal. Their position should 

 be determined by the outline of the lake and the sur- 

 rounding scenery ; they ought never to be numerous. 

 Their purpose is to impart variety to the water^ and to 

 obviate any apparent baldness in the banks^ or to lessen 

 other defects which cannot be removed by planting. 

 Too many islands give an artificial sheet of water the air 

 of a map or model. 



The Head, as it is usually called^ — that is, the embank- 

 ment at the lower end of the lake for retaining the 

 water, — is generally one of the principal difficulties in the 

 construction. It is here that the artificial character of 

 the lake is most conspicuous, and, of course,- a greater 

 effort is necessary to conceal it. When the head can be 

 so formed as to unite with the form of the ground^ and 

 to present the appearance of a natural obstruction, the 

 success of the designer and executant may be regarded 

 as complete. Heads of lakes, as usually formed, are 

 commonly defective, being often too narrow; or when 

 broad, of too little elevation, and are frequently, indeed, 

 simple weirs for confining the water. "V^Tien the lake 

 occupies part of a small valley, the head may be formed 

 mto a knoU or two thrown out from, but connected with, 

 one of the banks ; and the issuing stream may be led 

 round the knoll, and between it and the opposite bank. 

 Wlien the locality requires a lengthened embankment, 

 another method may be pursued. A broad mound may 

 be constructed either level or convex, with the water 

 flowing through it or following the com'se of a small 

 winding valley scooped out at either end. In this case, 

 the face of the raised platform towards the lake may be 



