TREATMENT OF WATER. 
309 
two distinct parts, but it always indicates a shallowness or 
want of depth where the water should be deepest. 
There are two situations where it is universally admitted 
that islands may be happily introduced. These are, at the 
inlet and the exit of the body of water. In many cases 
where the stream which supplies the lake is not remark- 
able for size, and will add nothing to the appearance of the 
whole view from the usual points of sight, it may be con- 
cealed by an island or small group of islands, placed at 
some little distance in front of it. The head or dam of a 
lake, too, is often necessarily so formal and abrupt, that it 
is difficult to make it appear natural and in good keeping 
with the rest of the margin. The introduction of an island 
or two, placed near the main shore, on either side, and 
projecting as far as possible before the dam, will greatly 
diminish this disagreeable formality, particularly if well 
clothed with a rich tuft of shrubs and overhanging bushes. 
Except in these two instances, islands should be 
generally placed opposite the salient points of the banks, 
or near those places where small breaks or promontories 
run out into the water. In such situations, they will 
increase the irregularity of the outline, and lend it 
additional spirit and animation. Should they, on the other 
hand, be seated in or near the marginal curve and inden- 
tations, they will only serve to clog up these recesses ; 
and while their own figures are lost in these little bays 
where they are hidden, by lessening the already existing 
irregularities, they will render the whole outline tame 
and spiritless. 
On one or two of these small islands, little rustic 
habitations, if it coincide with the taste of the proprietor, 
may be made for different aquatic birds or waterfowl, 
