i08 
N THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
obtained of the extent to which the trade of truffles is carried in 
France, when we learn that in the market of Apt alone about 3500 
pounds of truffles are exposed every week in the height of the 
season. It may be interesting to state that the value of truflles is 
so greatin Italy that the strictest precautions are taken against 
truffle poachers. These poachers train their dogs so skilfully, that 
while they stand on the outside of the truffle grounds, the dogs go 
in and dig for the fungi. Though there are multitudes of species, 
they bring out those only which are of market value.” He goes on 
to say that “ some species of dogs are employed by botanists which 
will hunt for any especial species that may be shown to them. The 
great difficulty is to prevent them from devouring the truffles. The 
best dogs are true retrievers.” 
I have not time to touch this evening on the immense number of 
species of fungi that are so destructive to animals and plants. In 
conclusion I should like to urge some of the members of the 
Geelong Field Naturalists’ Club to devote some of their leisure to 
the study of these extraordinary plants. A large field of usefulness 
is open. The life history of the majority of the species has still to 
be read. . 
The objects are easily obtainable after a few days’ wet weather, 
not only in the fern gullies, but in the bush, in paddocks, the 
garden, the yard, in fact any place where organie remains can be 
influenced by damp. 
ON THE SHELL-FISH CALLED COCKLES. « 
Bx J. F. MULDER. 
Tue shell-fish we call by this name is not the same as that known 
as the Cockle in England. Those known as such in Britain are the 
Cardium Edule, this genus takes its name of Cardzum from the nest- 
like shape of the shells. Our Cockle belongs to a different genus 
known as the Cytherea. Cytherea Chione is the only British shell of 
this genus. Our seas are rich in different species of this shell. 
The fossil form of this shell dates back to the Jurassic, while the 
Cardium reaches down to Silurian. There are two species of the 
Cardium in our own Bay (Corio), the empty shells are thrown up in 
thousands upon the shore towards the north, but I have not yet 
found a living specimen. The European Cardium live in shallow 
water like our Chione. Do our Cardium live in. deep water? 
Perhaps some of our scientific friends will be able to answer this, 
SEO USERS 
