The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. VII.

¶ The sundry kinds of salt: the making thereof: the vertues medicinable of salt: and diuers other considerations respectiue thereto.

SAlt is either artificiall or naturall: and both the one and the other is to be considered in ma∣ny and diuers sorts, which may be reduced all into 2 causes: for salt commeth either of an hu∣mor congealed, or els dried. In the gulfe or lake of Tarentum, the salt is made of the sea wa∣ter dried by the heat of the summer Sun, for then you shall see the whole poole converted into a masse of salt: and verily the water there, is otherwise very low & ebbe, and not aboue knee high. [unspec K] The like is to be seen in Sicily within a lake called Cocanicus; as also in another neare to Ge∣las: but in these, the brims & sides only about the banks, wax dry and turn into salt, like as in the salt-pits about Phrygia and Cappadocia. But at Aspenchum, there is more plenty of salt gathe∣red within the poole there, for you shall haue the same turn into salt, euen the one halfe to the very mids. In which lake, there is one strange and wonderful thing besides, for look how much salt a man taketh out of it in the day, so much ordinarily will gather againe by night. All the salt of this sort is small, and not growne together in lumpes. Now there is another kinde of salt, which of the owne accord commeth of sea-water, and it is no more but the fome or froth which is left behind sticking to the edges of the banks, or to rocks. Both the one & the other become [unspec L] thick and hard in manner and form of a candied dew: howbeit, that which is found in the rocks, is more quicke and biting than the other. There is besides of salt naturall, a third distinct sort from the former: for in the Bactrians country there be two great and huge lakes, which natural∣ly do cast vp a mighty quantity of salt: the one lieth toward the Scythians, and the other ben∣deth to the Arians country: like as neere to Citium, a city in the Isle Cypros, and about Mem∣phis in Aegypt, they draw forth salt out of lakes, and afterwards dry the same in the sun. Moreo∣uer, there be certain riuers which beare salt, and the same congealed aloft in their vpper part, in manner of yce, and yet the water runneth vnderneath and keepeth the course wel enough. As for example, about the sluces and straits of the mount Caspius; and thereupon they be called the Riuers of salt: as also in other riuers of Armenia, and about the Mardians countrey. Moreouer, Oxus and Othus, two riuers passing through the region Bactriana, carry ordinarily downe with them in their streame, great peeces and fragments of salt, which fall from the mountaines adjoi∣ning [unspec M] vnto them. There are besides in Barbary, other lakes, and those verily thicke and troubled, which ingender and beare salt. But what will you say, if there bee certaine Fountaines of hote Waters which breed Salt? And yet such bee the Baynes or Springs called Pagasaei.

Thus far forth haue I proceeded in those kinds of salt which come of waters naturally. There [unspec A] are besides certain hils also which are giuen by nature to bring forth salt, and such is the moun∣tain Oromenus among the Indians, wherein they vse to hew salt as out of a quarry of stone, and yet the same groweth still: insomuch, as the kings of that country make a greater reuenue by far out of it, than either by their mines of gold, or the pearles which those coasts do yeeld. Further∣more it is euident, that in Cappadocia there is salt * 1.1 Minerall, digged out of the earth: and it appeareth plainly, that it is a salt humor congealed within. And verily, they vse to cut it out of the ground after the maner of * 1.2 glasse stone in lumps: and those exceeding heauy, which the pea∣sants commonly call * 1.3 crums of salt. At Carrhae, a city of Arabia, all the walls thereof, as also the housen of the inhabitants, be reared & built of hard stones: and the same be laid by Masons worke, and the joints closed and soudered by no other morter but plain water. K. Ptolomaeus, at what time as he incamped about Pelusium, a city of Egypt, and cast vp a trench to fortifie the same, found such a mine or quarrey of salt as these, which was a president to others afterward to sinke pits betweene Aegypt and Arabia, euen in the waste and dry quarters, where vnder the delfe of sand they met with salt. After which manner also they practised to dig in the desart & dry sands of Africk, and found more as they went, euen as far as to the Temple and Oracle of Iu∣piter Ammon. And verily they might perceiue this salt to grow in the night season, according to the course of the Moone. As for all the tract and country of Cyrenae, famous it is, and much spo∣ken of, for the salt * 1.4 Ammoniacum, so called, by reason that it is found vnder the sands. In co∣lour and lustre it resembleth that Alume de Plume, which the Greeks call Schistos: It groweth in long lumps or pieces, and those not transparent: the tast is vnpleasant, howbeit, this salt is of [unspec C] good vse in Physicke. The clearest thereof is taken for the best especially when it wil cleaue di∣rectly into streight flakes. A strange and wonderfull nature it hath if it be right: for so long as it lyeth vnder ground within the mine, it is passing light in hand, and may be easily welded; take it forth once, and lay it abroad aboue ground, a man would not beleeue or imagine how exceeding heauy it is. But surely the reason thereof is evident: for the moist vapors contained within those mines where it lieth, beare vp the said pieces of salt, and are a great ease to those that deale ther∣with, much like as the water helpeth much to the stirring and managing of any thing within it, be it neuer so weighty. Well, this Ammoniacke salt is corrupted and sophisticate, as well with the pit salt of Sicily called Cocanicus, as also with that of Cypresse, which is wonderfull like vnto it. Moreouer, neare Egelasta, a city in high Spaine, there is a kind of sal-gem or Minerall [unspec D] salt digged: the peeces or lumps wherof are so cleare, as a man may in a maner see through them: and this hath of long time bin in great request and of such name, as the Physitians giue vnto it the price and praise aboue all other kinds. But here is to be noted, that all places where salt is found, are euer barren, and will beare no good thing els. And thus much may bee said concer∣ning salt that commeth of the own accord.

As touching salt artificiall, made by mans hand, there be many kinds thereof. Our common salt, and whereof we haue greatest store, is wrought in this manner: first they let into their pits a quantity of sea-water, suffering fresh water to run into it by certain gutters, for to bee mingled therewith for to help it to congeale, whereto a good shower of raine auaileth very much, but a∣boue all the Sun shining therupon for otherwise it wil neuer dry & harden. About Vtica in Bar∣bary they vse to pile vp great heaps of salt in manner of Mounts: which after that they bee har∣dened [unspec E] * 1.5 and seasoned in the Sun and Moone, scorne all raine and foule weather, neither will they dissolue, insomuch, as folke haue enough to doe for to break and enter in with pick-axes. How∣beit, in Candy the Salt is made in the like pits, but of Sea-water onely, without letting in any fresh water at all. Semblably, in Aegypt, the Sea it selfe ouerfloweth the ground which (as I take it) is already soked and drenched with the water of Nilus, and by that means their Salt is made. After the same manner they make salt also out of certain wels, which are discharged into their Salt-pits. And verily in Babylon, the first gathering or thickening of the water in their salt-pits, is a certain liquid Bitumen or Petroleum, an oleous substance, which they vse in their lamps, as we do oile: and when the same is scummed off, they find pure salt vnderneath. Likewise in Cap∣padocia [unspec F] they do conuey and let in water out of certain wels and fountaines into their Salt-pits. In Chaonia there be certaine * 1.6 Springs of saltish water, which the people of that countrey doe boile, and when it is cooled againe, it turneth into Salt: but it is but dull and weak in effect, and besides, nothing white. In France and Germany the maner is when they would make salt, to cast

sea-water into the fire as the wood burneth. [In some parts of Spain there be salt springs, out of [unspec G] which they draw water in maner of that brine, which they cal Muria.] But thoseverily of France and Germany be of opinion, that it skilleth much what wood it is that serueth to the making of such fire. Oke they hold the best, as being a fewell, the simple ashes whereof mixt with nothing els, may go for salt. And yet in some places they esteeme Hazell wood meeter for this purpose. Now when the said wood is on fire and burning, they poure salt liquor among, wherby not only the ashes but the very coales also will turne to be salt. But all salt made in this sort of wood, is black. I reade in Theophrastus, That the Islanders of Imbros were wont to boile in water, the a∣shes of reeds and canes, vntill such time as there remained little moisture vnconsumed, and that which was left they vsed for salt. The brine or pickle wherein flesh or fish hath bin kept salt, if it be boiled a second time vntil the liquor be spent and consumed, returneth to the own nature, [unspec H] and becommeth salt again. Certes, we find, That the salt thus made of the pickle of Pilchars or Herings, is of all others most pleasant in tast. As touching the salt made of sea-water, that of the Isle Cypres, and namely, that which comes from Salamis, is commended for the best. But of poole salt, there is none comparable to the Tarentine and Phrygian, especially that which they cal Tatteus, of the lake Tatta: and in truth, both these kinds of salt be good for the eies. The salt brought out of Cappadocia in little earthen pipes, hath the name to make the skinne slick and faire: but for to lay the same plain and euen, and make it look full and plump without riuels, the salt which I called Cittieus hath no fellow. And therefore women after they be newly deliue∣red of child, vse to annoint and rub their bellies with this salt, incorporat together with Gith or Nigella Romana. The driest salt is euermore the strongest in tast: the Tarentine salt is taken for [unspec I] to be most pleasant and whitest withal. Otherwise, the whiter that salt is, the more brittle it is, and readier to crumble and fal to pouder. There is no salt but raine water wil make it sweet and fresh. The more pleasant it wil be & delicat to the tast, in case the dew fal therupon: but North∣east winds ingender most plenty therof. In a Southerly constitution of the weather, and namely when the wind is ful south, you shall see no salt ingendred. The * 1.7 floure of salt (commonly cal∣led Sperma-Ceti) is neuer bred but when the Northeast winds do blow. The salt Tragasaeus wil neither spit, crackle, leap, nor sparkle in the fire; no more will Acanthius (so called of a towne of that name:) neither doth the fome of salt, nor the gobbets and fragments, ne yet the thin leaues or flakes thereof. The salt of Agrigentum, a city in Sicily, will abide the fire and make no spark∣ling: put it into water, it will keep a spitting and crackling. Great difference there is in salt, in re∣gard [unspec K] of the colour. At Memphis [i. Caire] in Egypt, the salt is of a very deep red: but about the riuer Oxus in Bactriana, more tawny or inclining to a russet. And the Centuripine salt within Sicily is purple. About Gela in the same Island, the salt is so bright and clear, that it wil repre∣sent a mans face, as in a mirroir. In Cappadocia, the Minerall salt which they dig, is of a yellow Safron colour, transparent, and of a most redolent smell. For any vse in Physicke, the Tarentine salt was in old time highly commended aboue the best: after which they esteemed most, all the sea salts; and of that kind the lighter, and that which especially is of the nature of fome: for the * 1.8 eies of horses and Boeufes, they made great reckoning of the Tragasaean salt, and that of Gra∣nado or Boetica in Spaine. For dressing of viands and cates; for to be eaten also with meat; the better is that salt, which sooner melteth and runneth to water. That also which by nature is moi∣ster [unspec L] than others, they hold to be better for the kitchin or the table (for lesse bitternesse it hath) and such is that of Attica and Euboea. For to pouder and keep flesh meat, the dry salt, & quicke at tongues end is thought to be meeter than other, as we may see in the salt of Megara. Moreo∣uer there is a certain confite or condited salt, compounded also with sweet spices & aromaticall drugs: which may be eaten as a dainiy kind of gruel or sauce; for it stirreth vp and whetteth ap∣petite, eat the same with any other meats: insomuch, as amongst an infinit number of other sau∣ces, this carrieth away the tast from them all; for it hath a peculiar smatch by it selfe, which is the cause, that the pickle Garum is so much sought after for to giue an edge to our stomack: & not only we men are solicited & moued by salt more than by any thing els too•…•…r meat; but mut∣tons, Boeufes, and horses also haue benefit therby in that respect: they feed the better, giue more [unspec M] store of milke, and the cheese made thereof hath a more dainty and commendable taste by that means. And to conclude all in one word, the life of mankind could not stand without salt, so ne∣cessary an element (if I may so say) it is for the maintenance of our life, that the very delights & pleasures of the mind also are expressed by no better term than Salt: for such gifts and conceits

of the spirit as yeeld most grace and contentment, we vse in Latine to call Sales. All the mirth [unspec A] of the heart, the greatest cheerfulnesse of a lightsome mind, & the whole repose & contentment that a man findeth in his soule, by no other word can be better shewed. Moreouer, this terme in Latine of Sal, is taken vp and vsed in war, yea, and diuers honours and dignities bestowed vpon braue men for some worthy seruice, go vnder this name, and be called Salaries. And how highly our ancestors accounted therof, it may appeare by the name of that great port-way or street Sa∣lariae, so called, because all the salt that went into the Sabines country, passed that way. More∣ouer, it is said that Ancus Martius K. of Rome, was the first that erected the salt-houses, and gaue vnto the people a congiary or largesse of 6000 Modij of salt. And Varro writeth, That our ance∣stors in times past vsed salt ordinarily in stead of an houshold gruell: for they were wont to eat salt with their bread & cheese, as may appeare by the common prouerb that testifieth so much. [unspec B] But most of all we may gather in what request and account salt was in sacrifices and oblations to the gods, by this, that none are performed and celebrated without a cake of meale and salt. Furthermore, where salt is truly made without any sophistication, it rendereth a certain fine and pure substance (as it were) the most subtill cinders of ashes: which as it is lightest, so none is so white as it. There is that also which is called the Floure of salt, altogether different from salt, as being a kind of dew, of a moister nature; resembling safron in yellow colour, or els inclining ra∣ther to a sad red or russet colour, and is as a man would say, the rust of falt: the strong & vnplea∣sant smell likewise, which commeth neere vnto that of the pickle Garum, bewraieth, that it is a distinct thing from salt, as well as from the froth thereof. This Floure of salt came first from Aegypt, and it seemeth as though it floted vpon the riuer Nilus, & were carried down the stream [unspec C] thereof. And yet there be some fountains which doe beare and put vp the same, vpon which it swimmeth aloft. Of this kind, the best is that which yeeldeth a certain fatty and vncteous oyle: for this you are to think, that salt is not without a kinde of fattinesse, wonderfull though it be. This floure of salt is sophisticated & commonly coloured with red ocre, or els many times with potshards reduced into pouder: but this deceit may be quickly known and found by water; for if it be a false and artificiall colour, water will wash it off: wheras the true floure of salt indeed, will resolue by nothing but by oile, and verily the Apothecaries & confectioners of sweet oiles and ointments, vse it most of all for the colour sake, when they would giue a fresh & liuely hue to their compositions. Being put vp in any vessell, it seemeth white & hoarie aloft: but the mid∣dle part within, is as I haue said, more moist ordinarily. As touching the properties of this flour of salt, by nature it is biting, hot, and hurtfull to the stomack; it moueth sweat, and looseth the [unspec D] belly taken in wine & water; good also it is for to enter into those ointments which are deuised for lassitude and wearinesse: and by reason of the abstersiue faculty that it hath, fit for sope and scouring bals. Nothing so effectuall to cause the haire to fall from the eie-lids. As for the resi∣dence or grounds therof, setling in the bottom of the pot where this floure is kept; they vse to shog and shake the same together, to bring it again to the colour of Safron. Ouer and besides, there is in salt-houses another substance like brine, which in Latine is called Salsugo or Salsila∣go, altogether liquid; salter in tast than sea-water, but in strength far short of it, and different, and yet is there one kind more of an exquisit and dainty liquor in manner of a dripping, called Ga∣rum, proceeding from the garbage of fishes, and such other offall as commonly the cooke vseth to cast away as it lieth soking in salt: so as if a man would speak properly, it is no other but the [unspec E] humor that commeth from them as they do lie and putrifie. In old time this sauce was made of that fish which the Greeks called Garon. Where by the way this commeth to my mind, that if a woman sit ouer the perfume or suffumigation of the head of this fish whiles it burneth, it is of power to fetch away the afterbirth that staieth behind when the child is borne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sal Ge•…•…ma.
• * 1.2

  Lapis specula ris, vitrum vel glacies Ma•…•…tis or Lapis Ara∣bicus.
• * 1.3

  Mic•…•… Salis.
• * 1.4

  Of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greeke, which is sand.
• * 1.5

  This seemeth to be our Bay∣salt.
• * 1.6

  This is the order of salt with vs in our wiches here in England.
• * 1.7

  Halos-anthos which he ren∣dre•…•…h flos-salis: wheras indeed Flos-salis, i. the floure of salt, is another thing, as himself she∣weth elswhere by the name of tenuissima fa∣villasalis.
• * 1.8

  Sa•…•…ivere.