The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1917-11-22
@HE Caucasus comprises the dis
trict between the Caspian sea
on the east and the Black sea

and the Sea of AZov on the
west. This territory of $4,000 square
versts (166,974 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 a natural frontier between
Europe and Asia, though it is now less
marked than at the time when 1t was
full of water. The southern frontier
of the Caucasus extends from the
mouth of the River Astara on the Cas-
plan sea, through the Taleshindsky
mountains to the River Aratz, and
then on to Arata. From here 1t 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 Ii from one
side to the other, says a writer In Rus
STA. 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 Kuban,
which flow over the typical Russian
steppe to the north of the range.
Trans-Caucasian District.
To the south of the mountain range
lies the Trans-Caucasian district,
which may be separated into two
parts; one comprising the Black sea
shore, and the other the valley of the
River Kura. The Black sea shore is
well irrigated, and is the natural hot
house of the Russian empire, resplen-
dent with q large variety of plants
ranging from Alpine flowers to sub
tropical vegetation.
The Kura is typical Asiatic river,
and after 1t leaves the hill region it
flows through the plains towards the
dead Caspian sea. The land on both
sides is a flat desert, and the only
means of transport is by camel. The
climate of the Caucasian district is eX
tremely varied. The Trans-Caucasus,
on the southern slopes of the noun
talns, Is naturally considerably warm
err; the thermal conditions of the Cau-
casus are largely connected with the
influence of the snow-bearing noun
tains, the winds and the seas. The
prevailing wind on the Black sea coast,
especially In the region of NOvoros-
sisk, in autumn and winter is from
bora. These circumstances cause the
climate of the Caucasus to vary from
Arctic to subtropical.
Flora Rich and Varied.
In regard to Its flora, the Caucasus
district represents one Of the richest
floras of the empire, the greatest
range and luxuriance naturally occur
ring on the south side of the mountain
barrier. The Alpine districts possess
magnificent pastures with luxuriant
flowers. Here is virgin nature with
dense forest in which no man has ever
trod, and which has never been SCARED
by his AK. These dense forests of the
fable harbor deer, bears, wild boar
martens, lynx. Some of the districts
are marvellous in their wealth of
natural species; for instance, the La
godekhskoye ravine In the Sagansky
district represents a magnificent arbOr
etum where in a small area one car
meet with specimens of the rarest
species.
The animal life of the Caucasus Is
rich I'm many rare species-of bird:
alone there are 400 species. In the
woods on the borders of Persia there
are tigers; the shores of the Black ses
and the southern slopes of the eau
casus are particularly rich, although
Ii is excelled by the Caspian shore
Bears. wolves, jackals, wildcats, lynx
are often seen in the Black sea region
whereas more common are deer, pole
cats, roebuck, wild goats and will
boar. Further, black Indian game
grouse, pheasants, partridge, and othe
wild birds are abundant. The list o
reptiles is notable.
Many Races In the Caucasus
While the Caucasus is Inhabited b
two major races-Caucasians an
MongolIans-there is at the same tim
a wonderful collection of tribes, sue
as ArmenIans. CircaSsians, Georgian'
Lesgans, Asetins. Persians, Tartar'
Turkomen, Kurds, Jews, and Greeks
All these different tribes are from som