192 
NATURE NOTES. 
The following description will give an idea of the style of the 
work in which practical knowledge is admirably blended with 
technical instruction : — - 
“Tuber ^estivum Vitt. The British Truffle. — Hard and black 
at maturity, polygonally warted outside and mottled with white 
and yellowish-brown inside. 
“ It is usually subterranean, but is seldom found more than 
three or four inches beneath the surface ; it is sometimes half ex- 
posed. Ir is generally about the size of a walnut, but may attain 
a diameter of three or more inches. In rare cases single speci- 
mens weigh two, three or four pounds. It is found in perfection 
from July to late autumn. It grows in copses, hedgerows, and 
open spaces in plantations gregariously with other species of 
Tuber, generally in plantations of beech, oak, or birch — rarely pine 
— on argillaceous or calcareous soil. 
British Truffle. 
Tuber restivum. (Natural size.) Ascus x 100. 
“ The odour of T. cestivum is potent and to some persons 
agreeable, and can sometimes be detected where truffles grow. 
Squirrels and pigs are fond of truffles, and scratch them up. 
“ Edible, but hard and indigestible. 
“ The truffle of France, used in pate dc foie gras and poulard 
truffc, is Tuber mclanosporum Vitt. The truffle used in Italy is T . 
maguatum, which is garlic-scented. These species have not been 
recorded as British.” 
I am glad to notice that one London Natural History Society 
recommends the Guide to its members as a companion for 
“ fungus forays ; ” nothing more useful can be taken, nor has the 
British Museum issued any more practical hand-book. 
George Murray. 
[As the Guide is only to be obtained at the British Museum 
(Natural History), South Kensington, country members, and 
even some London ones, may find a difficulty in procuring it. 
M’e shall be glad in such cases to forward a copy by post on 
receipt of sixpence in stamps to defray cost of book (qd.) and 
postage ; two copies will go by parcel post for 3d. Those 
wanting copies should write to Mr. Britten, British Museum 
(Natural History) , Cromwell Road, London, S.W.] 
