EUROPEAN TRUFFLES 



they seem: like picturesque diversions, or 

 mere sport. Man unassisted works to 

 small purpose in the search for truffles, for 

 reason and the sense of sight — his main de- 

 pendencies — avail little in locating these 

 subterranean fungi. The truffle is aro- 

 matic; in consequence, man must make use 

 of those animals v^hich have a keen sense of 

 smell. There are three methods pursued; 

 (i) that with the assistance of the dog, (2) 

 with the assistance of the pig, and (3) with 

 the assistance of certain flies of the woods, 

 which are the natural enemies of the truffle. 

 Truffle hunting is such an important busi- 

 ness, and requires such knowledge of the 

 forest and field, that there are men who de- 

 vote their lives to it. These men are known 

 as rabassiers. 



(i) The first method, using the dog as 

 man's guide and assistant, is employed in 

 those regions where the truffle is not un- 

 usually abundant. The dog has enduring 

 qualities and can cover a large amount of 

 territory in a short time. For this reason 



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