FIRE TEMPLES OF THE GEUBRES. 371 



Kudda stands in the vicinity of Badku, one of the largest 

 and most commodious ports in the Caspian. In the 

 neighbourhood of this town the earth is impregnated with 

 naphtha, an inflammable mineral oil, and the inhabitants 

 have no other fuel, and no other light, but what is derived 

 from this substance. 



The remains of the ancient fire temples of the Guebres 

 are still visible about ten miles to the north-east of the 

 town. The temple in which the Deity is worshipped 

 under the form of fire is a space about thirty yards square, 

 surrounded with a low wall, and containing many apart- 

 ments. In each of these a small volcano of sulphureous 

 fire issues from the ground through a furnace or funnel in 

 the shape of a Hindoo altar. On closing the funnel the 

 fire is instantly extinguished, and by placing the ear at 

 the aperture a hollow sound is heard, accompanied with a 

 strong current of cold air, which may be lighted at 

 pleasure by holding to it any burning substance. The 

 flame is of a pale clear colour, without any perceptible 

 smoke, and emits a highly-sulphureous vapour, which 

 impedes respiration, unless when the mouth is .kept 

 beneath the level of the furnace. This action on the 

 lungs gives the Guebres a wan and emaciated appear- 

 ance, and oppresses them with a hectic cough, which 

 strangers also feel while breathing this insalubrious atmo- 

 sphere. 



For about two miles in circumference, round the 

 principal fire, the whole ground, when scraped to the 

 depth of two or three inches, has the singular property of 

 being inflamed by a burning coal. In this case, however, 

 it does not communicate fire to the adjacent ground ; but 

 if the earth is dug up with a spade, and a torch brought 

 near it, an extensive, but instantaneous conflagration takes 

 place, in which houses have often been destroyed, and the 

 lives of the people exposed to imminent danger. 



