L'Ecluse, F. sieur de 
La Flore sainte, et I'apologie de Flore, et des floristes, 
centre des critiqves; avec un Traits de la culture des princi- 
pales fleurs, Saviiivr, Isaac & Henry Desbordes, 1676. 
Haller, Bib, Bot. 1:581, cites as "F. B, S, de I'Ecluse, La 
Flore sainte, I’apologie des floristes, avec un Traite de la culture 
des principales fleurs Saumur anno 1675. 12°. Falcon." (i.e. Cat. 
Bib. Falconet, Paris, 1763). The title does not aooear in Barbier, 
Diet. Ouvr. Anon., or Querard, La France Litt. Cat. Bib, Nat. Paris 
enters under "L’Ecluse", but throws no light on his identity. 
In the preliminary leaves of the book itself are a number of 
comnlimentary verses dedicated to the author. "Stances" by R. de 
Mousseau, inscribed "Au Sieur de I’Esclvse, sur son ouvrage", refer 
to "Les belles eaux de ton Scluse, Ont si bien arrose no.s fleurs." 
There is also an "Spigramme" signed "F. D. P," and other ooems by 
"Fr. D. Recollet" and "R. R. de I'Oratoire." One set of verses by 
"R, H. Prestre" is entitled "Au tres-curieux apologists de Flore", 
and begins with the following lines: 
Tu fais connoitre Flore, & cultiver les fleurs, 
C’est sur deux grands sujets heureusement ecrire; 
C’est faire a Flore une double faveur 
En meme temps tu pares son Empire, 
Et tu repares son hormeur. 
The reference to "the lovely fountains of your Eoluse, which 
have watered our flowers", suggests that Ecluse was the name of an 
estate, and while it may also have been a family name, it is cuite 
likely that both the author’s surname and given name are concealed 
under the initials "F, B." 
