  We present the results of three independent analyses in which we show that
IRAS galaxies faithfully trace the underlying distribution the mass in the
local universe. In the first analysis we compare the mass and the galaxy
density fields and show that they are consistent within 60 $h^{-1}$Mpc. In the
second one we show that the tidal velocity field of the Mark III catalog is
consistent with the tidal velocity field predicted from the distribution of
IRAS galaxies, hence indicating that IRAS galaxies trace the mass distribution
well beyond 60 $h^{-1}$Mpc. Finally, a third analysis aimed at determining the
mean biasing relation of IRAS galaxies showed no appreciable deviations from
the linear biasing prescription.
