TRITFFLE, Tuber, a genus of fungi of the section gasteromycetes; globose, or nearly so; of a fleshy substance, with a distinct skin, the whole substance pervaded by a net work of serpentine veins, which are the hymenium, and bear the spore-cases in minute cavities. The species are not numerous; they are very generally diffused in temperate parts of the world; they are subterranean, often found at the depth of a foot or more in the soil. Some of them are among the most highly valued of esculent fungi. The COMMON TRUFFLE (T. ciborium) is of a black color, and has a watery surface. It varies in size from that of a large plum to that of a large potato. On account of its agreeable flavor, it is used in the preparation of many dishes. It is common in the central and southern parts of Europe, chiefly in loose soils, in woods and pastures, as in the chestnut woods of France and Italy. In England, it occurs, pretty abundantly, in the downs of Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Kent. Other species, as T. cestivum, T. rubitm, and T. mos chatum, are found in some parts of France, Italy and other countries of Europe, and are sought after and used in the same manner as the common truffle. It has recently been discovered that the English species are more numerous than was formerly supposed ; truffles have also been discovered in localities in the s. of England where their existence
was formerly unknown. The gathering of truffles is the occupation of many persons in the places where they abound. They are dug up with a kind of hoe or pick. Dogs are trained to seek them, and readily discover by the scent the spot where they grow under ground. The stirring of the soil in the gathering of truffles seems to increase its produc tiveness. No particular kind of dog is specially employed for truffle-seeking; but one of which the parents are truffle-dogs is preferred, as it is said to be more easily trained. In some parts of France, pigs are also trained to seek truffles. In Germany, the name BLACK TRUFFLE is given to the common truffle, and that of WHITE TRUFFLE to rhizophagon album, a species of a nearly allied genus, which has also been found iu England. It grows half above ground, is of a whitish-red color, and is generally of the size of a large walnut. It is less aromatic than the common truffle, but is used in the same way.