62 
RESIDENCE OF THE MISSION AT BUSHIRE, 
posed to clean them by superinducing a dark-blue or black tint. In 
almost every situation they might be considered as the attendants on a 
burial; but in a real case of death there are professional mourners, who 
are hired to see proper respect paid to the deceased, by keeping up the 
cries of etiquette to his memory. 
Among the superstitions in Persia, that which depends on the crowing 
of a cock, is not the least remarkable. If the cock crows at a proper 
hour, they esteem it a good omen ; if at an improper season, they kill 
him. I am told that the favourable hours are at nine, both in the morn¬ 
ing and in the evening, at noon and at midnight. 
But the lion, in the popular belief of Persia, has a discernment much, 
more important to the interests of mankind. A fellow told me with 
the gravest face, that a lion of their own country would never hurt a 
Sheyah, (the sect of the Mahomedan religion which follows Ali, and 
which is established in Persia,) but would always devour a Sunni, (who 
recognises before Ali the three first caliphs.) On meeting a lion, you 
have only therefore to say, “ Ya Ali ” and the beast will walk by you 
with great respect; but should you either from zeal or the forgetfulness 
of terror, exclaim “ Ya Omar ! Oh Omar!” he will spring upon you 
instantly. 
III. Animals of the Dashtistan. About tw r enty-five years ago, m 
the time of Sheik Nasr, who possessed both Bushire and the island of 
Bahrein , and who consequently was enabled to improve the native 
breed of Persia, by bringing over the Nedj stallion, the Dashtistan 
became celebrated for a horse of strength and bottom. But the original 
breed of Persia, that which is now restored, is a tall, lank, ill-formed, 
and generally vicious animal; useful indeed for hard work, but un¬ 
pleasant to ride compared with the elegant action and docility of the 
Arab. There is another race of the Turcoman breed, (such as are 
seen at Smyrna , and through all Asia Minor), a short, thick, round¬ 
necked, and strong-leg’d horse, short quartered, and inclined behind. 
There is also a fine breed produced by the Turcoman mare and the 
Nedj stallion. At two different times, large lots of horses were offered 
