Spheroidal State of Bodies—Proof of Fire. 105 
Adurabad Mabrasphand, is plainly an experiment of primi- 
tive facility and simplicity, and which is nothing less than 
miraculous. 
But here I pause a little; for I think I observe a smile of 
incredulity on the lips of those who now do me the honour 
to listen to me,—a smile so discouraging to one destitute of 
sincerity, but which only kindles the ardour of one who 
wishes to deceive nobody, and who uses all his efforts that 
he may not be deceived himself. Let such persons then al- 
low me to reassure them; the little I have to relate is not 
like the truth, but it is true, and that is enough. With these 
remarks I continue. 
We know that the followers of Zoroaster were worship- 
pers of fire, which they regarded as the principle of all things. 
It is to this celebrated philosopher that this salutary pre- 
cept is ascribed: When in doubt, refrain. 
Zoroaster, according to many thinkers, is one of the greatest 
moralists of antiquity. According to Voltaire, he was only 
a quack who would make a poor figure among the least skil- 
ful philosophers of our day. 
But the French philosopher mentions a fact in relation to 
Zoroaster, too intimately connected with my subject not to 
be related here. ‘The chief of the magicians caused the 
infant (Zoroaster) to be brought, and wished to cut him in 
two; but his hand instantly withered. He was thrown into 
the fire, which became to him a bath of rose-water.’* 
It is unnecessary to say that the illustrious sceptic con- 
sidered this statement as eminently fabulous. With regard 
to myself, | humbly ask pardon of his memory ; for I con- 
sider it, if not true, at least possible and probable. I speak 
here only of fire which does not burn. 
Whether in France, Italy, or England, wherever I have 
had occasion to speak of bodies in a spheroidal state, I met 
with persons who asked me this question: Is there not some 
connection between these phenomena and that of men running 
with naked feet over red-hot melted metal, or plunging the 
* Victionnaire Philosophique, t. xiv., p. 179. 
