The record-union., 1897-03-26
SACRAMENTO TRUFFLES.
The Terfezzia Of ASiatic Turkey Found in
This Valley.
Has Been Eaten by People in This
City and at Marysville
Years Ago.

The following letter from DR.. n. w.
Hardness will be read with interest:
Eds. Record Union: In the valleys
of the Tigris and Euphrates, situated III
the northeastern portion OF ASlalc L ur :
key, a fungus is found in large Quantl-
ties, which is not only a great delcacy'
but, during the season, furnishes d
large amount of food to the lnhaplt-
ants. The fungus referred to is known
to scientists as a TerfeZzia, and IS
sold in large quantities in the market OF
Bagdad as truffles.
Truffies are never found upon the
surface of the ground, but little be-
neath it. The Arab hunter first notices
that the earth is somewhat elevated
for a space the size of large dinner
plate. over which cracks or slight MS
sures appear He has then only to re-
move the slight covering of earth in or
der to secure the prize. They are al
most snow-White, and in size ana Iorhi
resemble a medium-sized potato. AS a
general rule, several of them are Iouho
in one spot so that quantities of them
NAV be gathered with but little LABOR.
A ANspecimen sent me by the American
Consul at Bagdad is firm and nearly as
solid as a potato, showing a smootn-cut
surface The same plant is found III
some portions of Northern Africa; anu
the writer became possessed OF a specl-
men found in the valley or the heo
River, Louisiana. The writer mas gooo
reasons for believing that this so-cafeo
truffie, or a species allied to IT ana
equally valuable, may at tunes De
found in abundance in the valley OF the
Sacramento. My reasons for such De-
lief are as follows:
George c. Prescott, who was Tor
many years a resident of Marysvllle'
informs me that large quantities OF
similar fungi were eaten about tWeh-
ty-five years ago by the inhabitants ol
that city, himself and the late Judge
Fllkins being of the number. They We're
known as potato mushrooms, ana "ele
rever found upon the surface Oh the
earth-always beneath it. They We're
readily found, however, from the 1nol-
cations before stated. Mr.. Prescota
states that upon removing two or three
inches of the surface, five or SIX, or
even more. were to be found. 1hey
were white, round and nearly as sofld
as a potato He reports them as beng
found in the spring.
General L. H. Foote informs me that
a similar fungus was found within the
city limits of Sacramento at about the
same period and was eaten by hlmsen
and others. These We're found upon
land attached TO the Mcdonald place,
few hundred yards to the southwest
of the residence of Hon. Fred Cox.
without doubt, the farmers of the
valley have seen this fugus often With
out being aware of its value. The WRITER
would be thankful to such as may have
seen it, if they would inform him of the
fact at once, designating the locality
and the time when found.
If anyone finding this fungus will
send samples by Wells, Fargo & Co.,
they will. after identification, be placed
on exhibition in some public place in
Sacramento, Marysville and Colusa-
When this fungus and its habits have
become known, it can be used without
danger of accident resulting from the
use. H. w. HARkNESS,
California Academy of Sciences.
San Francisco, March "A, 1897.