ion dates back no farther it may be said
than 1876, although they made a formal submission in 1833. They
occupy some forty or fifty miles of the upper valley of the Ingur,
at no part exceeding ten miles in width, and are cut off from all
outside communication between the beginning of September and the
end of May, in consequences of the passes being blocked with snow.
"The scenery in this valley," writes a recent traveller, "is of
great beauty and wildness, and grand beyond description; amid the
most profuse vegetation, every imaginable flower is seen in its
wild state, and bank, meadow, hill-side and grass plot are literally
covered with all that is most lovely; in every forest and grove,
and all undergrowth even, indeed wherever the pure air of heaven
and its divine light is not obstructed, the earth is thus gorgeously
arrayed."

_IN THE CAUCASUS_

_J. BUCHAN TELLER_

Returning to Mingrelia, we find it bounded on the south by the
river Rion, the ancient Phasis, which flows through the country
whence was introduced into Europe the Phasian bird--our pheasant.
The Rion divides Mingrelia from Guria, another principality, where
is situated Batoum, a somewhat pestiferous but important military
station and commercial port, that has tended in no small degree,
since its annexation to Russia in 1878, towards the development
of the resources of this beautiful country, intersected with good
roads through valleys highly cultivated with maize, corn, and barley,
the hills and their declivities being overspread with the oak and
box, exported in large quantities, and yielding handsome returns.
Ozurgheti, the chief town, attractively situated, was the residence
of the rulers who lie interred at the ancient monastery and episcopal
church, Chemokmedy, about six miles distant.

Passengers from Odessa and the Crimea landing at Batoum find the
train in readiness to convey them to Tiflis, the capital of the
whole Transcaucasia, reached in about fifteen hours, the train
travelling slowly enough, but through a land of much interest,
historically and pictorially. On the right, in the distance, are
the highlands of the old kingdom of Armenia, to the left is Imeritia,
a glory, like Mingrelia and Guria, of the past. If so inclined, the
traveller may exchange, at Rion station, the main for a branch line,
which will take him to Kutais, the chief town of the old kingdom of
Imeritia, where he may tarry for a while to great advantage. It
is