To J. H. Balfour   17 September 1860

My dear Sir,

I am just returned from the Gravel pits of Amiens & Abbeville, where I was attracted by the interest excited in regard to the flint Hatchets found there – I met with a French friend interested in a Society of Acclimatization of plants – He asked me if I could procure for him seeds of Rubus arcticus & chamaemorus, Papaver nudicaule, & any other species of high latitude – the object being to sow them on ^ye S ^t Barnard – very possibly you ripen seeds of such things at Edinburgh– If so, can you readily favour me with a few sample for the object in view? They will be duly appreciated or I would not put such a request to you – Dr Hooker has just started for Syria, & means to investigate the Lebanon & proposing to be absent for 2 months with a surveying expedition which gives him a berth – Thanks for the printed papers last sent– All such things are interesting & useful to me

Believe me | Very truly y ^rs | J S Henslow