def _report_external_dependencies(self, sect, _, _dummy):
        """return a verbatim layout for displaying dependencies"""
        dep_info = _make_tree_defs(self._external_dependencies_info().items())
        if not dep_info:
            raise EmptyReportError()
        tree_str = _repr_tree_defs(dep_info)
        sect.append(VerbatimText(tree_str))
return a verbatim layout for displaying dependencies