Rusbery in Northampton-shire, and doubtless in other [31]places too were they sought after.  How these rank and provocative Excrescences are to be [32]treated (of themselves insipid enough, and only famous for their kindly taking any Pickle or Conditure) that they may do the less Mischief we might here set down.  But since there be so many ways of Dressing them, that I can incourage none to use them, for Reasons given (besides that they do not at all concern our safer and innocent Sallet Furniture) I forbear it; and referr those who long after this beloved Ragout, and other Voluptuaria Venena (as Seneca calls them) to what our Learned Dr. Lyster[33] says of the many Venomous Insects harbouring and corrupting in a new found-out Species of Mushroms had lately in deliciis.  Those, in the mean time, which are esteemed best, and less pernicious, (of which see the Appendix) are such as rise in rich, airy, and dry [34]Pasture-Grounds; growing on the Staff or Pedicule of about an Inch thick and high; moderately Swelling (Target-like) round and firm, being underneath of a pale saffronish hue, curiously radiated in parallel Lines and Edges, which becoming either Yellow, Orange, or Black, are to be rejected:  But besides what the Harvest-Months produce, they are likewise rais’d [35]Artificially; as at Naples in their Wine-Cellars, upon an heap of rank Earth, heaped upon a certain supposed Stone, but in truth, (as the curious and noble [36]_Peiresky_ tells us, he found to be) nothing but an heap of old Fungus’s, reduc’d and compacted to a stony hardness, upon which they lay Earth, and sprinkle it with warm Water, in which Mushroms have been steeped.  And in France, by making an hot Bed of Asses-Dung, and when the heat is in Temper, watering it (as above) well impregnated with the Parings and Offals of refuse Fungus’s; and such a Bed will last two or three Years, and sometimes our common Melon-Beds afford them, besides other Experiments.

40.  Mustard, Sinapi; exceeding hot and mordicant, not only in the Seed but Leaf also; especially in Seedling young Plants, like those of Radishes (newly peeping out of the Bed) is of incomparable effect to quicken and revive the Spirits; strengthening the Memory, expelling heaviness, preventing the Vertiginous Palsie, and is a laudable Cephalick.  Besides it is an approv’d Antiscorbutick; aids Concoction, cuts and dissipates Phlegmatick Humours.  In short, ’tis the most noble Embamma, and so necessary an Ingredient to all cold and raw Salleting, that it is very rarely, if at all, to be left out.  In Italy in making Mustard, they mingle Limon and Orange-Peel, with the Seeds.  How the best is made, see hereafter.

Nasturtium Indicum.  See Cresses.

41.  Nettles, Urtica; Hot, dry, Diuretic, Solvent; purifies the Blood:  The Buds, and very tender Cimae, a little bruised, are by some eaten raw, by others boil’d, especially in Spring-Pottage, with other Herbs.