a country situated between 40° and 50° E. long. and between 45° and 50° N. lat.

It is bounded by Russia on the north, by Astracan and the Caspian sea on the east, by Georgia and Daghestan on the south, and by the river Don and the Palus Moots on the west.

The Circassian Tartars form a kind of republic, but sometimes put themselves under the protection of Persia, and sometimes of Russia, or the Turks. They live mostly in tents, removing from place to place for the benefit of pasturage; and are chiefly remarkable for the beauty of their children, the feraglios of Turkey. and Persia being usually supplied with boys and young virgins from this and the neighbouring country of Georgia.