312 Retrospective Criticism. 



C^reus Napolebms, in the collection of Mr. Gushing, Watertown, 

 has lately expanded five or six of its large and superb blossoms, 

 very much resembling C triangularis, of which it appears to be a 

 variety, and not specifically distinct. The plant is growing in the 

 stove, and is trained to a trellis on the back wall. — Id. 



Sun Dials for Garden Ornaments. — It will be recollected that 

 some time since (Vol. VII., p. 403,) we noticed the cast iron sun 

 dials made by Mr. S. Moore, of Connecticut. They were calcu- 

 lated for a northern latitude. In a late letter to us, Mr. Moore 

 states that he is now making one for a southern latitude, 35°, which 

 will answer for all places south of Mason and Dixon's line. We 

 recommend these dials as neat ornaments to a garden, and quite as 

 useful as ornamental. — Id. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



Glout Morceau pear, (p. 235,) — The answer to my remarks, rela- 

 tive to the origin of this pear, by Mr. Walker, the chairman of the 

 committee, was duly noticed, but not in time to reply in your last 

 number. The chairman states that the committee had no instruc- 

 tions to go behind the authority of the London Horticultural Society. 

 He also says that the error rests with the printer or with him: there 

 is no doubt of this; but as the error is committed, I believe, in every 

 instance where the Glout morceau is named, it could not have been 

 an error of the printer. But as the mistake is frankly acknowledged, 

 that is of no consequence. The chairman then asks us to give the 

 signification of the terra Glout in connection with the word mor- 

 ceau. 



Now it is well known that the French and Flemish pears, in many 

 instances, have local names attached to them, for which it would be 

 almost impossible to give a proper and correct signification. But as 

 the cases are few where such names cannot be ascertained, it may 

 perhaps be well to inquire whether the name Glout is one of these 

 unfathomable ones, to which no English term will apply. Upon 

 some little consideration it seems not. In the French dictionary is 

 found the word G/ou<ora,-signifying greedy; Glout is undoubtedly an 

 abbreviation of this, and, in connection with Morceau, (signifying 

 mouthful,) seems a very proper name for this fine pear, which is in- 

 deed a greedy mouthful, when eaten in perfection. 



Gout, the French term for taste, can in no way be applied to m,or- 

 ceau with any meaning, and whether the explanation above be cor- 

 rect or not, it is better to follow after all the eminent French and 

 English pomologists who have mentioned it, and call it the Glout 

 morceau, rather than to coin a new name, which is equally as de- 

 ficient of a sensible construction as the old one. — Yours^ Jl Fruit 

 Grower, July, 1842. 



