A famous gardener, caned Thouin, had a pear-tree which used to bear fruit of extraordinary size. One year it produced only two pears, but they were enormous. Thouin decided to send them to the celebrated naturalist Buffon, who lived in the same district. When they were nice and ripe, thouin placed them in a basket and told young gardener to carry them, with a letter to Buffon. It was in the height of summer and the heat was overwhelming. The messenger, being very thirsty gave way to temptation and ate one of the pears. Reaching his