326 LETTEES ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



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 appearance, 

 and oppresses them with a hectic cough, which 

 strangers also feel while breathing this insalu- 

 brious atmosphere. 



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 sin- 

 gular property of being inflamed by a burning 

 coal. In this case, however, it does not commu- 

 nicate 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 conflagra- 

 tion takes place, in which houses have often been 

 destroyed, and the lives of the people exposed to 

 imminent danger. 



When the sky is clear and the weather serene, 

 the springs in their ebullition do not rise higher 

 than two or three feet ; but in gloomy weather, 

 and during the prevalence of stormy clouds, the 



