ABSTRACT
The ordinary Persian has such a profound belief in ghouls, divs (demons), jinns, and afrits, that the European who can persuade him to talk about his superstitions will have the sense of being in the Middle Ages. The ghoul is supposed to lurk in lonely places, its aim being to lure travellers from their path and devour them. It is a huge monster with blood-stained jaws, but has the power of assuming any form it pleases often appearing as an animal or even as a human being in order to deceive its intended victim.
