naturally loth to part with his animal, as the livelihood of the family depends so much thereon.

Local traditions say that a Spaniard who settled somewhere in Wiltshire, about 250 years ago, first introduced the truffle-hunting dog, and since that time the industry, if it can be so called, has been carried on. The dogs are very much inbred, thus difficult to rear. They are of any colour, white, even black, and any intermingling of the two. The lighter coloured and white dogs are best for the purpose, as they are easier seen in the coverts and undergrowth. In some instances a black dog has a broad white collar or front placed around his neck, so that he may be better seen by his worker. The training of the dog should commence when he is about four months old, when he is taught to bring to his master a truffle which is thrown for him. This quickly done, his next task is to fetch one of them which is hidden, and following this a truffle is first covered with earth, and this, too, he is encouraged to find and take to his master. So gradually the lessons continue, until the puppy will be quite reliable in finding and bringing in fungi which have been buried by his master two inches or so underground, the dog being, of course, rewarded with some little dainty each time he does his duty well. So far perfect,

he is now taken out to some place where truffles are known to be, and the dog will find them, thus his training is accomplished with less trouble than either a pointer or setter is broken to find and stand game.

Of course the little dog hunts keenly, and with his nose to the ground, his tail action and quickness on scent are quite equal to what are seen in a spaniel on the line of fur or feather. When a truffle has been "set" or found two or three inches below the ground's surface, the dog will scratch the soil away with his paws in the fashion common to canines, but the better plan, and the one usually followed, is for the owner to dig up the prize, and so prevent any risk of its being injured by the dog's teeth. I need scarcely state that a truffle dog must be thoroughly and entirely broken from his natural inclination to hunt game and vermin.

The truffle is in season in England from November until March, but it can be purchased in most shops where such things are sold, all the year round. As we have said, the occupation of truffle-hunting is little followed now in Great Britain, still I believe that it is one for which there is ample scope, and likely to prove remunerative to the labourer or working man who would commence such work. But he must have no poaching proclivities, else the love of the rabbits or hares amongst which he hunts,

will induce him to leave his adopted "profession for another that is against the law of the land.

So far for the poodle, and how useful a dog he is and may be made, I think sufficient has been written to prove, and perhaps the following description of the animal (with the aid of Mr. Wardle's illustrations), published by the Poodle Club, will enable any who do not know what such a dog is like to recognise a poodle when they see him in the streets or on the stage.

A "Poodle Club" was established in 1886, and the following is the description issued by that body. The numerical points are, however, my own.

"THE BLACK POODLE.

"General Appearance.—That of a strong, active, and very intelligent dog, cobby in build, and perfectly coated with curls or long ropey 'cords.'

Head.-Long, the skull large and with plenty of room for brain power, wide between the ears and a slight peak, the parts over the eyes well arched, the whole thickly covered with curls or 'cords.'

"Muzzle.-Long (but not snipey'), strong, square, and deep; the 'stop' should be defined, but not to a very great extent; the teeth should be perfectly level, strong, and white.

"Eyes. Small, dark, and bright, with a very intel

ligent expression; they should be set at right angles with the line of the face.

"Nose.-Large, and perfectly black in colour, with wide open nostrils.

"Ears. Very long, close to the cheek, low set on, and well covered with long ringlets or 'cords.' "Neck.-Well proportioned, and very strong to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity. "Chest.-Fairly deep, but not too wide, strong, and well covered with muscles.

"Legs. Forelegs perfectly straight, very muscular, and 'set on racing lines;' they should be long enough to raise the body well from the ground, but without legginess. Hind legs very muscular, but fairly bent, with the hocks well let down.

"Feet.-Large, strong, and rather wide, but standing well on the toes, and of good shape; the nails perfectly black, and the pads capacious and hard.

"Back.-Short, with body well ribbed up; the loins very strong and muscular, but without fat.

"Tail.-Carried at an angle of 45 degrees, having long ringlets or cords,' hanging down.

"Coat. If corded, thick and strong, and hanging in long, ropeycords.' If curly, the curls close and thick, and hair of good quality.

Weight.-Large, 6olb.; medium, 40lb.; small, 20lb. and under.

46 THE WHITE POODLE AND THE RED POODLE. "All the foregoing points hold good for these varieties of the breed, with the following exceptions Eyes.-Yellow or wall eyes (light blue), free from black rims round the eyelids.

"Nose.-Red or liver colour. "Nails.-Red or pink.

Back. The ticks (spots) on back should be red or liver, and the whole body should be free from black ticks.

Only these three colours (black, white, and red) are admitted, and they should be without mixture.

"N.B.-Clipping or Shaving.-We very strongly recommend that only one-third of the body be clipped or shaved, and that the hair on the forehead be left on."