Vol. V, No. 8.] Some Persian Folk-lore Stories. 285 
[N.S.] 
from the fact that when they returned to the surface they were 
‘very much out o sa 
The gist of the story, in which there are many minor varia- 
tions, is that somewhere in this passage is situated the Charkh- 
i-Almas, which was started spinning in perpetual revolution by 
that famous hero of Persian fable, Rustam. It is said that this 
Pp 
tendants to the contrary. According to some he had to travel 
Persian attendants, however, turned back long before he had 
got so far. The daring traveller attempted to seize the whirling 
wheel, but was instantly consumed by fire. Since that time no 
Persian dares to enter the passage even for the shortest distance. 
Perhaps this story may have had its origin in a distortion of 
Chardin’s adventure, as related below, or in that of some 
equally daring and curious traveller whose adventures have not 
been left on record. 
2. 
According to one informant, some twenty years ago 
Persepolis was visited by an Englishman, who descended into ~ 
the underground passages below the platform in company with 
one of the local iniabitants. After having gone a short dis- 
ing, unaccompanied by any Persian, and emerged from the 
Same hole by which they had entered about midday. After 
: 1 Folk-lore stories, although found in widely separated places, have 
ar. @ curious family resemblance under similar circumstances, 
Passage, and there are many of them. in which there was the ightest 
resemblance to ths one of a blaze of light continually revolving in its 
hidden depths.—C. M. G. 
