The herald., 1917-12-06

on the east and the Black sea
and the Sea of AZov on the
west. This territory OF $4,000 square
versts Q68.974 square miles,, equal
In area to the whole of France, is d.
vided from European Russia on the
north by the deep valleys Of the rivers
Kuma and Manuich, which 100 years
ago formed channel between the Cas-
plan and Azov seas. This valley
stretches from the mouth of the Kuma
TO the mouth of the River Don, and
constitutes q natural frontier between
Europe and Asia, though ii is now less
marked than at the time when 1t was
fHfl OF water. The southern frontier
Of the Caucasus extends from the
mouth Of the River Astara on the Cas-
pien sea, through the Taleshindsky
mountains to the River AratZ, ard
then on to Arata. From here II runs
In a zig-zag line to the Black sea.
This area has attracted attention for
many years owing to the mountain
range which cuts across 1t from one
side to the other, says q writer ia Rus
sin. Strictly, the geographical name
Caucasus belongs to this mountain
range. The Caucasus mountains are
enormous walls stretching for 400
versts (265 miles) from west-north-
west to east-sOutheast, dividing the
whole district into two distinct and
practically equal parts. The northern
slope Of the mountains is drained by
the two rivers Terek and Kubao
which flow over the typical Russian
steppe to the north of the range.
Trans-caucasian District.
To the south of the mountain range
Hes the Trans-Caucasian district
which may be separated into two
parts; one comprising the Black SCI
shore, and the other the valley Of the
River Kura. The Black sea shore Il
well irrigated, and is the natural hot
house of the Russian empire, resplen
dent with large variety Of plants
ranging from Alpine flowers to sub
tropical vegetation.
The Kura Is typical Asiatie river
and after 1t leaves the hill region 4
flows through the plains towards thu
dead Caspian sea. The land on boil
sides is a fiat desert, and the Onl!
means of transport is by camel. Thu
climate Of the Caucasian district is ex
tremely varied. The Trans-Caucasus
on the southern slopes Of the noun
tains, is naturally considerably warm
er; the thermal conditions of the eau
casus are largely connected with tn
influence of the snow-bearing noun
tains, the winds and the seas. Tn
prevailing wind on the Black sea coast
especially In the region of NovorOs
sisk, In autumn and winter is fror
the southwest, and Is known as tn
bora. These circumstances cause tn
climate of the Caucasus to vary fror
Arctic to subtropical.
Flora Rich and Varied.
In regard to it's fora, the Caucasu
district represents one Of the riches
foras of the empire, the creates
range and luxuriance naturally Occur
ring on the south side of the mountal
barrier. The Alpine districts posses
magnificent pastures with luxuriar
flowers. Here Is virgin nature wit
dense forest in which no man has eve
trod, and which has never been SCARE
by his ak. These dense forests of tn
fable harbor deer, bears, wild boa
martens, lynx. Some of the district
are marvellous In their wealth (
natural species; for instance. the Il
godekhskoye ravlne In the Sagansk
district represents a magnificent arbo
etum where In q small area one ca
meet with specimens Of the rare
species.
The animal life Of the Caucasus
rich In many rare species-of blr'
alone there are 400 species. In Il
woods on the borders Of Persia the
are tigers; the shores Of the Black 81
and the southern slopes OF the Ca
casus are particularly rich. althouv
, II is excelled by the Caspian shOr
Bears, wolves, jackals. wildcats. Ign