OF BRITISH FUNGI. 113 



The ordinary method of searching for mushrooms will 

 not succeed in this instance, and, therefore, dogs are 

 trained to hunt for truffles 

 by the aid of their peculiar 

 odour, which makes itself evi- 

 dent to the acute canine sense 

 of smell. In some of the con- 

 tinental countries of Europe 

 where these fungi are found, 

 pigs are employed as hunters. Fig. I. 



Kromholz gives the following instructions for the 

 benefit of those who would undertake the search : 

 " You must have a sow, of five months old, a good 

 walker, with her mouth strapped up, and for her efforts 

 recompense her with acorns ; but as pigs are not easily 

 led, are stubborn, and go astray, and dig after a thou- 

 sand other things, there is but little to be done with 

 them. Dogs are better ; of these select a small poodle." 



The trufile most commonly obtained in Britain is 

 Tuber acstivum (the T. cibarium of some authors) ; 

 but the ordinary truffles of the Parisian markets are 

 much larger and better flavoured. They are, doubtless, 

 much more common in chalky districts than has been 

 supposed. Our native supplies are obtained chiefly 

 from the downs of Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Kent. 

 From the Continent we import them sliced and dried ; 

 but in this condition one can have but a faint idea of 

 the true truffle flavour, to appreciate which they must 

 be cooked fresh. Lovers of a dish of truffles protest 

 also against the barbarity of paring them, by which 



I 



