FIRE-TEMPLES OF THE GTJEBRES. 327 



springs are in a state of the greatest ebullition, 

 and the naphtha, which often takes fire sponta- 

 neously at the earth's surface, flows burning in 

 great quantities to the sea, which is frequently 

 covered with it, in a state of flame, to the dis- 

 tance of several leagues from the shore. 



Besides the fires in the temple, there is a large 

 one which springs from a natural cliff in an open 

 situation, and which continually burns. The 

 general space in which this volcanic fire is most 

 abundant is somewhat less than a mile in circuit. 

 It forms a low flat hill, sloping to the sea, the 

 soil of which is a sandy earth, mixed with stones. 

 Mr. Forster did not observe any violent eruption 

 of flame in the country around the Attush Kudda ; 

 but Kinneir informs us, that the whole country 

 round Badku has at times the appearance of 

 being enveloped in flames. " It often seems," 

 he adds, " as if the fire rolled down from the 

 mountains in large masses, and with incredible 

 velocity ; and during the clear moonshine nights 

 of November and December, a bright blue light 

 is observed at times to cover the whole western 

 range. The fire does not consume ; and if a 

 person finds himself in the middle of it, no 

 warmth is felt." 



The inhabitants apply these natural fires to 

 domestic purposes, by sinking a hollow cane or 

 merely a tube of paper, about two inches in the 

 ground, and by blowing upon a burning coal 

 held near the orifice of the tube, there issues a 

 slight flame, which neither burns the cane nor 

 the paper. By means of these canes or paper 

 tubes, from which the fire issues, the inhabitants 

 boil the water in their coffee-urns, and even cook 



