But it is most probable that the salt raiseth an itching in animals, and so makes them salacious and eager to couple.

And perhaps for the same reason they call a surprising and bewitching beauty, such as is apt to move and entice, [Greek omitted], SALTISH.

And I think the poets had a respect to this generative power of salt in their fable of Venus springing from the sea.
And it may be farther observed, that they make all the sea gods very fruitful, and give them large families.

And besides, there are no land animals so fruitful as the sea ones; agreeable to which observation is that verse of Empedocles, Leading the foolish race of fruitful fish..