The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1917-12-12
E LIE Caucasus comprises the dis.
X trict between the Caspian sea
IN the nnGi and lin nincI. ,.1n

T2 LIE Caucasus comprises tic dis
trict between the Caspian sen
Il on the east and the Black sen
and the Sea of Azov on tile
west. This territory of 3SO.0,O square
yersis (lG0,0Ii square miles,, equal
In area TO the whole of France. Is III.
vided from European RUSSIA on the
north by the deep valleys OF the rivers
kumn and Mnnulch, which 100 years
ngo formed ii chnnncl between the Gus
plan md Azov seas. This valley
stretches from the mouth OF the Kunn
TO the mouth OF the River Don. and
constitutes n natural frontier between
Europe nnd Asia. though II IL now less
marked than mt the time when II wns
1uli OF wntcr The southern frontier
of the Caucasus extends from the
mouth of the River Astnra on the Cas-.
plan sea, through the Talcshlndsky
mountains tn the River Aratz, and
then ON TO Arata. From here II runs
In zig-ang line to the Blnck sea.
This urea has attracted attention for
many years owing to the mountnln
nnge which cuts across II from ono
side TO the other, says IL writer In Rus.
sin. Strictly. the geographical hume
Caucasus belongs To this mountain
range. The Caucasus mountains are
enormous walls stretching for 400
vcrsts t26i milcs) from west.nor,h.
west TO cast-Eouthcast, dividing the
whole district Into two distinct ana
practically equal parts. The northern
slope OF the mountains is drained by
the two rivers Tcrcli and kmbnn.
which flow over the typical Russian
stclpe To tho north OF the range.
Trans. Caucasian District
To the south OF the mountain range
Hes Tie TranS.C Caucasian district,
which may he separated Into two
rnris; one comprising the BLACK sen
sllors, ami the other the valley OF the
River kurTl. Tho Black sea shore is
well irrigated, and is the natural hot
house of the Russian empire. resplen.
dent with n large variety OF plants
ranging from Alpine flowers TO sub.
tropical vegetation.
The kura is II typical Asntlc river,
and after IL leaves the hill region 1t
ilpws through the plnlnS towards the
dend Caspian sea. The land on both
sides is Hat desert, and the only
means OF transpor, is by camel. Tho
c'ilnntc OF the Caucasian district is OK.
iremcly varied. The Trans.C Caucasus,
on the southern slopes Of the noun
taina, Is naturally considerably warm
er; the ihcrmnl conditions OF the eau.
casus are largely connected with the
Influence OF the snow-benring noun
tnins, the winds and the seas. The
prevailing wind ON the BLACK sea const,
especially In the region of Novoros-
sisk. In autumn and winter is from
the southwest, md is known az the
horn. These circumstances cause the
climute OF the Caucasus TO vary from
Arctic to subtropicul
Flora Rich and Varied.
In regard to It's flora, the Caucasus
district represents one OF the richest
iloras of the empire, the greatest
range and luNurlance naturally occur
ring ON the south side OF the mountain
barrier The Alpine districts possess
magnificent pastures with iuxuriant
flowers, Here Is virgin nature with
denec forest In which 10 man has ever
trod. and which has never been SCARED
by his aS. These dense forests OF the
fahle hnrbOr deer. bears, Wild boar,
martens, lynx. Some of the districts
are marvellous In their wealth of
nntural species; for instance, tho La
godekhskoyc ravine In the Sagansky
district represents magnificent nrbor-
etum where In n small area ono can
meet with specimens OF the rnrest
species.
The animal life OF Che Caucasus is
rich In many rare specics-of birds
alone there are 400 species. In the
woods on the borders of Persia there
are tigers; the shores of the Black sea
and the southern slopes OF the eau
casus are particularly. rich, although
4: Is exceiled by tho Caspian shore.
Bears. wolves, Iackals, wildcats, lynx,
RTc often seer In the Black sea region,
whereas more common are deer. pole
eats. socbuck, Wild goats aud wild
boar. Further, hlnek Indian game,
erorsr. pheasants. partridge, and other
wild birds are abundant, The list OF
rspt!ies Is notable.
Macy Races in the Caucasus.
While the Caucasus is Inhabited by
two major races Caucasiars and
Nongniians there is et the same time
8 wonderful collection OF tribes, such
~ ArtienIRns. Circnssians. Georeians,
Lesglens, Aset,ns. perstenS. Tartars.
!. Tufiionlep. kurds, Jews, and Greeks.
All hess ,,iffssr,,f,t t,ihSo 49,, fr,,, -, a