Tuberaceae 



Tuber, said to be in Northern Africa, though it is not uncommon in Southern 

 Europe, where its growth is favored by mild winters." 



It is probable that the Truffle will be found in other southern states. 

 Perhaps in the north, as Fries reports that two specimens were found 

 near Linkoping, Sweden, and Mr. H. W. Harkness reports Tubers in the. 

 Sierras at the height of 7,000 feet. It is worth hunting for. 



It is possible that the common Truffle Tuber aestivum will be found 

 in America. Fame awaits the finder. A description of it with illustra- 

 tion is therefore given. 



Tuber sesti'vum Vitt. 



(Plate CLIV.) 

 I 



TUBER 

 (Common Truffle.) 

 A. Plant. B. Section showing interior. 



Peridium warty, of a blackish-brown color, 

 the warts polygonal and striate; 

 flesh transversed by numerous veins ; 

 asci 4-6-spored ; spores elliptical, 

 reticulated. 



This plant, the common Truffle of 

 our markets, is abundant in Wilt- 

 shire and some other parts of Eng- 

 land, and probably occurs in many 

 places where it escapes observation 

 from its subterranean habit. Bad- 

 ham. 



It is cultivated largely in France. 

 "Perigord Truffles" are a costly 



delicacy. The Truffle is of subterranean habit, growing under various 

 kinds of trees and from 1248 in. under ground. As it does not mani- 

 fest its presence above ground, dogs and pigs are trained to find it by 

 scent. An interesting chapter on Truffles will be found in British 

 Edible Fungi, M. C. Cooke, 1891. Any plant of similar habit, when 

 found, should be immediately sent by the finder to a known expert for 

 identification. 



Thirteen species of Tuber and several Terfeziaa are reported in Cali- 

 fornia, and are described and beautifully illustrated in "California 

 Hypogaeous Fungi" by H. W. Harkness, "Proceedings of the Cali- 

 fornia Academy of Sciences," 1899. 



Terfezia spinosa Harkness closely resembles T. leonis Tul., and T. 

 (sphaerotuber) Californicum n. sp., found under oaks beneath vegetable 

 humus in Alameda county, Cal., Professor Harkness remarks, is nearly 



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