THE CAUCASIAN FAMILY. 9 



The Abassians^ who call themselves Msne^ "are distinguished from all 

 the neighboring nations by their narrow faces, by the figure of their heads, which 

 are compressed on both sides, by the shortness of the lower part of the face, by 

 their prominent noses, and dark brown hair." They appear to be the aboriginal 

 inhabitants of the northwest part of Caucasus, but have been reduced to a mere 

 tribe by constant feuds with the Circassians. Their language has no resemblance 

 to any known Asiatic or European tongue.* 



The Ossitinians^ or Ireen, are a mere horde of rapacious banditti, speaking a 

 language allied to the Persian. * 



The Inguches and Kists are also lawless communities, who live by hunting 

 and plunder, and rob for honor as well as from necessity. They worship one 

 God, without either saints or idols. Similar to these are those mountaineers of 

 Daghestan, called Tawlinzi and Lesghi : living in inaccessible retreats, they 

 descend into the valleys for mutual depredation, and to pillage travellers.! Their 

 language is peculiar to themselves, excepting a few words which resemble the 

 Samoyede tongue.J 



It is difficult to form a just estimate of many of these tribes, who are, on the 

 one hand, degraded by the Mahomedan faith, and on the other oppressed by the 

 grasping policy of the Russians. Of their intelligence and bravery there can be 

 no question ; and their moral perceptions, under the influence of an equitable 

 government, would no doubt assume a much more favorable aspect. 



2. The Persians^ who constitute the eastern branch of the Caucasian family, 

 have been celebrated from remote antiquity for their high civilisation, their 

 national pride and their successful valor. But since the seventh century of our 

 era, this country has been successively invaded and conquered by the Saracens, 

 Mongols and Tartars, whose amalgamation with the native inhabitants has pro- 

 duced, especially in the large towns, a very mixed population. It is chiefly 

 among the mountain tribes that the indigenous Persians are at present found. 

 They are a fine, athletic people, with good yet strong features, which travellers 

 compare to those of the Highlanders of Scotland. Their complexion is naturally 

 sallow, and becomes brown from constant exposure ; and in the province of 

 Mazunderan, Mr. Frazer saw some individuals who were almost black.§ Similar 

 in exterior to the former are the many tribes of the mountains of Talesh, whose 



* Klaproth, p. 247. t Freygan, Caucasus, p. 58. 



X Ellis, Caucasian Nations, p. 43. § Trav. in Persia, p. 50. 



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