y the disciples of Zoroaster in their worship."

Like Pythagoras, it may be here observed, Zoroaster, the inventer of
Magic, or the doctrines of the Magi, admitted no visible object of
devotion except fire, which he considered as the most proper emblem of a
supreme being; these doctrines seem to have been preserved by Numa, in
the worship and ceremonies which he instituted in honour of Vesta.
According to some of the moderns, the doctrines, laws, and regulations
of Zoroaster are still extant, and they have been lately introduced in
Europe, in a French translation by M. Anquetil.

Mr. Buckingham notices an existing custom, which he attributes to this
reverence to fire. "Throughout all Persia, a custom prevails of giving
the salute 'Salami Alaikom,' whenever the first lighted lamp or candle
is brought into the room in the evening; and this is done between
servants and masters as well as between equals. As this is not practised
in any other Mahommedan country, it is probably a relic of the ancient
reverence to fire, once so prevalent here, though the form of the salute
is naturally that of the present religion."

* * * * *

THE NATURALIST.

* * * * *

WHALE CHASE.

A Scottish journal, the _Caledonian Mercury_, describes the following
animated scene, which lately took place off the town of Stornoway, in
the island of Lewis. An immense shoal of whales was, early in the
morning, chased to the mouth of the harbour by two fishing-boats, which
had met them in the offing.

"The circumstance was immediately descried from the shore, and a host of
boats, amounting to 30 or 40, and armed with every species of weapon,
set off to join the others in pursuit. The chase soon became one of
bustle and anxiety on the part both of man and fish. The boats arranged
themselves in the form of a crescent, in the fold of which the whales
were collected, and where they had to encounter incessant showers of
stones, splashing of oars, with frequent gashes from a harpoon or spear,
while the din created by the shouts of the boats' crews and the
multitude on shore, was tremendous. On more than one occasion, however,
the floating phalanx was broken, and it required the greatest activity
and tact ere the breach could be repaired and possession of the
fugitives regained. The shore was neared by degrees, the boats advancing
and retreating by turns, till at length they succeeded