Note, That the Spaniſh Cardon, a wild and ſmaller Artichoak, with ſharp pointed Leaves, and leſſer Head; the Stalks being Blanch'd and tender, are ſerv'd-up a la Poiverade (that is with Oyl, Pepper, &c.) as the French term is.
3. Baſil, Ocimum (as Baulm) imparts a grateful Flavour, if not too ſtrong, ſomewhat offenſive to the Eyes; and therefore the tender Tops to be very ſparingly us'd in our Sallet.
4. Baulm, Meliſſa, Baum, hot and dry, Cordial and exhilarating, ſovereign for the Brain, ſtrengthning the Memory, and powerfully chaſing away Melancholy. The tender Leaves are us'd in Compoſition with other Herbs; and the Sprigs freſh gather'd, put into Wine or other Drinks, during the heat of Summer, give it a marvellous quickneſs: This noble Plant yields an incomparable Wine, made as is that of Cowſlip-Flowers.
5. Beet, Beta; of which there is both Red, Black, and White: The Coſta, or Rib of the White Beet (by the French call'd the Chard) being boil'd, melts, and eats like Marrow. And the Roots (eſpecially of the Red) cut into thin ſlices, boil'd, when cold, is of it ſelf a grateful winter Sallet; or being mingl'd with other Oluſcula, Oyl, Vinegar, Salt, &c. 'Tis of quality Cold and Moiſt, and naturally ſomewhat Laxative: But however by the Epigrammatiſt ſtil'd Fooliſh and Inſipid, as Innocentior quam Olus (for ſo the Learned [14]Harduin reads the place) 'tis by Diphilus of old, and others ſince, preferr'd before Cabbage as of better Nouriſhment: Martial (not unlearn'd in the Art of Sallet) commends it with Wine and Pepper: He names it indeed—Fabrorum prandia, for its being ſo vulgar. But eaten with Oyl and Vinegar, as uſually, it is no deſpicable Sallet. There is a Beet growing near the Sea, which is the moſt delicate of all. The Roots of the Red Beet, pared into thin Slices and Circles, are by the French and Italians contriv'd into curious Figures to adorn their Sallets.
6. Blite, Blitum; Engliſh Mercury, or (as our Country Houſe wives call it) All-good, the gentle Turiones, and Tops may be eaten as Sparagus, or ſodden in Pottage: There is both a white and red, much us'd in Spain and Italy; but beſides its humidity and deterſive Nature, 'tis Inſipid enough.
7. Borrage, Borrago (Gaudia semper ago) hot and kindly moiſt, purifying the Blood, is an exhilarating Cordial, of a pleaſant Flavour: The tender Leaves, and Flowers eſpecially, may be eaten in Compoſition; but above all, the Sprigs in Wine, like thoſe of Baum, are of known Vertue to revive the Hypochondriac, and chear the hard Student. See Bugloſs.
8. Brooklime, Anagallis aquatica; moderately hot and moiſt, prevalent in the Scorbute, and Stone.
9. Bugloſs, Bugloſſum; in mature much like Borrage, yet ſomething more aſtringent. The Flowers of both, with the intire Plant, greatly reſtorative, being Conſerv'd: And for the reſt, ſo much commended by Averroes; that for its effects, cheriſhing the Spirits, juſtly call'd Euphroſynum; Nay, ſome will have it the Nepenthes of Homer: But indeed, what we now call Bugloſs, was not that of the Ancients, but rather Borrage, for the like Virtue named Corrago.
Burnet, See Pimpinella.
10. Buds, Gemmæ, Turiones; the firſt Rudiments and Tops of moſt Sallet-Plants, preferrable to all other leſs tender Parts; ſuch as Aſhen-Keys, Broom-buds, hot and dry, retaining the vertue of Capers, eſteem'd to be very opening, and prevalent againſt the Spleen and Scurvy; and being Pickl'd, are ſprinkl'd among the Sallets, or eaten by themſelves.