( 225 ) 
Votis as k would otherwife prove ; contra, 
the more Salt and lefs Oil, the more dan- 
gerous ; therefore fuch as degenerate from 
their natural Colour after they are walhed, 
and become blue or black, are the moil 
fatal, becaufe they contain the molt acid co- 
agulating Salt. It is from the Redundancy 
of this Salt in them, that if they be let lye 
fome Days after they are gathered, before 
they be dreffed and pickled, they undergo 
a kind of Fermentation, wherein their Salts 
which were bound up in their vifcous and 
fpongy Parts, ilowly and infenfibly extricate 
and free themfelves, fhake off their Fetters, 
take to them their full Forces, and become 
a Poifon ; but whilft the Salts were clofely 
tied to the Oil and Sponge, were lefs dange- 
rous 5 therefore Muflarooms brought up on 
Dung Beds, having much Sulphur in them, 
are more fafe than others. It is for thefe 
Reafons that Dioj corides divides them into 
two dalles, one whereof he ranks among 
the Number of Poifons j and Pliny is high- 
ly difpleafed with the Luxury of Mankind, 
who will gratify their Palate in the eating 
of them at the Peril of their Lives. Nero 
called them the Food of the Gods, becaufe 
his Predeceffor Claudius , who died with eat** 
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