Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome

by some interesting quotation or remark. Brandt is of the opinion that this remark was added by a posterior reader. [2] The texts: _qui Veneris ostium quærunt_--"seek the mouth of Venus." This favorite superstition of the ancients leads many writers, as might be expected, into fanciful speculations. Humelberg, quoting Martial, says: _Veneram mirè stimulant, unde et salaces à Martiali vocantur._ 1. XIII, Ep. 34: _Cum sit anus conjunx, cum sint tibi mortua membra Nil aliud, bulbis quam satur esse potes._ We fail to find this quotation from Varro in his works, M. Teren. Varronis De Re Rustica, Lugduni, 1541, but we read in Columella and Pliny that the buds or shoots of reeds were called by some "bulbs," by others "eyes," and, remembering that these shoots make very desirable vegetables when properly cooked, we feel inclined to include these among the term "bulbs." Platina also adds the squill or sea onion to this category. Nonnus, p. 84, Diæteticon, Antwerp, 1645, quotes Columella as saying: _Jam Magaris veniant genitalia semina Bulbi._ [308] FRIED BULBS _BULBOS FRICTOS_ ARE SERVED WITH WINE SAUCE [Oenogarum]. XV MUSHROOMS OR MORELS [1] _FUNGI FARNEI VEL BOLETI_ [309] MORELS [2] _FUNGI FARNEI_ MORELS ARE COOKED QUICKLY IN GARUM AND PEPPER, TAKEN OUT, ALLOWED TO DRIP; ALSO BROTH WITH CRUSHED PEPPER MAY BE USED [to cook the mushrooms in]. [1] It is noteworthy that the term _spongiolus_ which creates so much misunderstanding in Book II is not used here in connection with mushrooms. Cf. {Rx} No. 115. [2] "Ashtree-Mushrooms." [310] FOR MORELS _IN FUNGIS FARNEIS_ PEPPER, REDUCED WINE, VINEGAR AND OIL. [311] ANOTHER WAY OF COOKING MORELS _ALITER FUNGI FARNEI_ IN SALT WATER, WITH OIL, PURE WINE, AND SERVE WITH CHOPPED CORIANDER. [312] MUSHROOMS _BOLETOS FUNGOS_ FRESH MUSHROOMS ARE STEWED [1] IN REDUCED WINE WITH A BUNCH OF GREEN CORIANDER, WHICH REMOVE BEFORE SERVING. [1] Tor. [313] ANOTHER STYLE OF MUSHROOMS _BOLETOS ALITER_ [1] MUSHROOM STEMS [or buds, very small mushrooms] ARE COOKED IN BROTH. SERVE SPRINKLED WITH SALT. [1] Tor. _Boletorum coliculi_; G.-V. _calyculos_. [314] ANOTHER WAY OF COOKING MUSHROOMS _BOLETOS ALITER_ SLICE THE MUSHROOM STEMS [1]