To John Balfour   15 August 1868

15/8/68

Dear Prof Balfour,

By some casual error about 22 sp of seeds of elegant desert-shrubs of Australia were sent in Dr Hookers parcel by this mail instead of direct.¹ However Dr Hooker is certain to send the little package on to you. I do not know whether I ever mentioned, that I should prize a plant of Dionaea muscipula, and any Begoniae, Cacteae and Gesneriaceae for my large Conservatory very much indeed. There are often passengers in the Australian clippers, who gladly take charge of small consignments free of cost for public institutions like mine. I will continue to send you a few seeds regularly by every mail. Should they prove valueless for your greenhouses, I would beg then to suggest to give them to one of the many invalids who reside at the Mediterranean for a part of the year, and who, more particularly in Algeria are desirous to establish extensively Australian vegetation and could bring you something for your garden & museum.

With regardful salutation

Ferd von Mueller

Begonia

Cacteae

Dionaea muscipula

Gesneriaceae