'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎342] (373/582)

342
DEPARTURE FOR BUSHIRE.
These were of the same semi-pyramidal shape as the ones
hewn in the rock near Persepolis, and about the same size, of
three feet in height, and eighteen inches square. They were
however fed with fire by a square passage, which went right
through them, about midway up the height, and had a large
square opening going from the centre of this to the top, for the
ascent of the flame and smoke. They were both perfect, ex
tremely portable ; and as both together would form only a load
for a strong mule, they might be brought away from the spot,
and taken to Bushire with ease. #
Our remaining way to Derees was over the same fertile and
well-watered soil, now choked with thorns and wild grass, on
which cattle were feeding; and it was past sun-set when we reached
the place, where we had the satisfaction of finding the messenger
returned with our horses and baggage from Shiraz, and a com
fortable shelter and meal provided for us.
Nov. 7th.—We left Derees two hours before daylight, on our
way to Bushire. In an hour from hence we reached the Rah
Dan, where an alarm was given at our approach. Soon after, we
came to a long and narrow ascending pass, called Terz-e-Turkoon,
and, crossing this, came out into a fine plain. In an hour after
wards we reached its boundary, having on the right a long village
called Kanaredj, and by the road-side a small caravansera. This
led us to the brow of a lofty hill, which we descended by the
Kotel Kanaredj. A Rah Dan was placed here also in a narrow
passage, through mountains of lime-stone, slate, and veins of
quartz. Some of the cliffs were very rugged, with almost per
pendicular strata; and the roads were extremely bad. This
Kotel, or Pass, took us an hour to clear. In half an hour from
* Near Baka, in Mazanduan, are some ancient places of fire worship of a singular kind.
They are arched vaults built of stone, over a part of the soil from whence flame issues, as at
Karkook; and a cane or pipe being fixed into the ground near the altar, a light burns up
through it like the blue flame of spirits, but more pure; and to one of these temples even
Hindoo pilgrims are said to resort from the distant banks of the Ganges.— History of Persia,
vol. i. p. 261.