Salſifax, Scorzonera. See Vipergraſs.
56. Sampier, Crithmum: That growing on the Sea-Cliffs (as about Dover, &c.) not only Pickl'd, but crude and cold, when young and tender (and ſuch as we may Cultivate, and have in our Kitchin-Gardens, almoſt the Year round) is in my Opinion, for its Aromatic, and other excellent Vertues and Effects againſt the Spleen, Cleanſing the Paſſages, ſharpning Appetite, &c. ſo far preferrable to moſt of our hotter Herbs, and Sallet-Ingredients, that I have long wonder'd, it has not been long ſince propagated in the Potagere, as it is in France; from whence I have often receiv'd the Seeds, which have proſper'd better, and more kindly with me, than what comes from our own Coaſts: It does not indeed Pickle ſo well, as being of a more tender Stalk and Leaf: But in all other reſpects for compoſing Sallets, it has nothing like it.
57. Scalions, Aſcalonia, Cepæ; The French call them Appetites, which it notably quickens and ſtirs up: Corrects Crudities, and promotes Concoction. The Italians ſteep them in Water, mince, and eat them cold with Oyl, Vinegar, Salt, &c.
58. Scurvy-graſs, Cochlearia, of the Garden, but eſpecially that of the Sea, is ſharp, biting, and hot; of Nature like Naſturtium, prevalent in the Scorbute. A few of the tender Leaves may be admitted in our Compoſition. See Naſturtium Indicum.
59. Sellery, Apium Italicum, (and of the Petroſeline Family) was formerly a ſtranger with us (nor very long ſince in Italy) is an hot and more generous ſort of Macedonian Perſley, or Smallage. The tender Leaves of the Blancht Stalk do well in our Sallet, as likewiſe the ſlices of the whiten'd Stems, which being crimp and ſhort, firſt peel'd and ſlit long wiſe, are eaten with Oyl, Vinegar, Salt, and Peper; and for its high and grateful Taste, is ever plac'd in the middle of the Grand Sallet, at our Great Mens Tables, and Prætors Feaſts, as the Grace of the whole Board. Caution is to be given of a ſmall red Worm, often lurking in theſe Stalks, as does the green in Fennil.
Shallots. See Onion.
60. Skirrets, Siſarum; hot and moiſt, corroborating, and good for the Stomach, exceedingly nouriſhing, wholſome and delicate; of all the Root-kind, not ſubject to be Windy, and ſo valued by the Emperor Tiberius, that he accepted them for Tribute.
This excellent Root is ſeldom eaten raw; but being boil'd, ſtew'd, roaſted under the Embers, bak'd in Pies, whole, ſliced, or in pulp, is very acceptable to all Palates. 'Tis reported they were heretofore ſomething bitter; See what Culture and Education effects!
61. Sorrel, Acetoſa: of which there are divers kinds. The French Acetocella, with the round Leaf, growing plentifully in the North of England; Roman Oxalis; the broad German, &c. but the beſt is of Green-Land: by nature cold, Abſterſive, Acid, ſharpning Appetite, aſſwages Heat, cools the Liver, ſtrengthens the Heart; is an Antiſcorbutic, reſiſting Putrefaction, and imparting ſo grateful a quickneſs to the reſt, as ſupplies the want of Orange, Limon, and other Omphacia, and therefore never to be excluded. Vide Wood-Sorrel.
62. Sow-thiſtle, Sonchus; of the Intybus-kind. Galen was us'd to eat it as Lettuce; exceedingly welcome to the late Morocco. Ambaſſador and his Retinue.