234 THE RION VALLEY. 



enclose this end of the Eion basin. The scale of the 

 scenery, the richness of the vegetation, but, above all, 

 the ruddy colouring of a set of rock- teeth which sprang 

 suddenly out of the slopes on the eastern bank, reminded 

 me strongly of several similar scenes amongst the Dolo- 

 mites of the Italian Tyrol. A woodman's path ran along 

 beside the torrent, but, as it did not gain height rapidly 

 enough for us, we turned straight up the slopes. For 

 about 1,000 feet we scrambled up amongst the beautiful 

 forest-trees, growing with a luxuriance and variety un- 

 equalled in the Alps. The underwood was so dense that 

 Ave had often difl&culty in pushing our way up through 

 it, and were glad to help ourselves up by the tough 

 branches of the white rhododendrons, which grew in great 

 quantities, and were now in full blossom. Through the 

 tree-tops snowy peaks were seen from time to time, and 

 when we found a bank where no branches intercepted the 

 panorama of the main chain, now full in view opposite 

 to us, we thought it better to halt and make our observa- 

 tions, rather than to push further up the hillside. The 

 chain was not cloudless, but thanks to a strong wind, 

 which was blowing in the upper region, we got a view, 

 at one moment or another, of every section of it, although 

 the whole was never quite clear at the same time. The 

 first and most striking of all the summits before us 

 occupied the position assigned on the Five Yerst Map 

 to the peak of Adai Khokh."^ Three long ribs of rock 



* Tuilsas Mta of Herr Eadde. Caucasian nomenclature is at present in a 

 state of hopeless confusion. It has seemed to me best to follow in most cases 

 the authority of the Five Verst Map, -which the traveller will probably have in 

 his hand. Herr Radde, who frequently differs from it, has not as yet published 

 the result of his researches in the form of a corrected map of the Central 

 Caucasus. I have avoided, as far as possible, encumbering my pages with such 

 unpronounceable names as Sagebigora, Chrowlioto, Sarziwisdsiris Mta, 

 Sopchitigoram Mta. All of these peaks look down on the sources of the 

 Rion. 



