CAUCASIA 



419 



to the Caspian Sea. Including some minor 

 allied tribes, they number not less than 590,000. 



Physically the Lesghiaiis are one of the 

 finest races in Caucasia. As the Caucasians hold 

 the highest rank in the ethnological divisions of 

 mankind, the Lesghians are consequently one of 

 the finest races in the world. Their long and 

 fierce wars with Russia amply prove that they 

 are courageous. At the same time there is a 

 proneuess to abuse all the power they possess or 

 may acquire. They gained the greatest distinc- 

 tion they have won in modern times by the 

 heroic resistance they offered to the advance 

 of Russia for over twenty years. Their leader 

 was the warrior-prophet Shamyl (Samuel), who 

 was a Lesghian, and not a Circassian, as has 

 been generally believed. 



There is nothing specially striking in the 

 dress of the men. The chodka, or close-fitting 

 frock-coat, extending below the knee, and 

 usually confined round the waist with a belt, 

 is almost universally worn. Its grey colour is 

 relieved by trimmings of fur. The general 

 head-covering is a cap of cloth or fur, some- 

 times shaped like a hemisphere, and sometimes 

 of fantastic height. Socks knitted in tasteful 

 patterns, and often with a gold thread running 

 through them, and leather slippers with pointed 

 toes, are part of the costume of the well- 

 dressed. The women also wear a close-fitting 

 coat, with long baggy trousers, gaudy in colour. 

 A blue shift and low cap like a fez form part 

 of their attire. 



The Lesghians are naturally most abstemious. 

 The conditions under which they live would 

 not admit the use of luxuries, even if their 

 inclination tended towards them. Though badly 

 fed and poorly clothed and generally bare- 

 footed, these mountaineers are hardy and strong. 

 Sickness and fatigue are almost unknown to 

 them. 



Although Christianity is said to have been 



their religion at one time during the Middle Ages, they are now fanatical Mohammedans. 

 Their women, however, rarely veil the face. 



The Georgians, who occupy the centre of Transcaucasia, are the principal, and till the 

 arrival of the Russians they were the dominant, race in the country. It has long been 

 generally admitted that, of all the Caucasian peoples, the Georgians, whom the Russians 

 call Grusians, most nearly correspond to the ideal type of physical beauty. They have tall, 

 powerful figures, are clear-skinned, with brown or black hair, and dark or grey eyes. Their 

 physiognomy is strongly marked, owing to the broad, low forehead, prominent nose, and 

 full, oval face. " They are certainly a splendid race to look at, these Georgians, both men 

 and women," says Mr. Bryce, recounting his impressions during a visit to Tiflis, their 



Photo l)i/ the Pholochrome Co.] [London. 



RUSSIAN PEASANT IN COSTUME. 



