an Asiatic nation, which extends from the highest ridge of Caucasus, along the Sundsha rivulets. According to Major Rennel*, they are bounded to the west by the little Cabarda, to the east by the Tartars and Lesguis, and to the south by the Lesguis and Georgians. He imagines they may be the people whom Gaerber calls the Tavilinsi, i.e., "mountaineers," and to whom he attributes the following strange custom:—"When a guest or stranger comes to lodge with them, one of the host's daughters is obliged to receive him, to unsaddle and feed his horse, take care of his baggage, prepare his dinner, pass the night with him, and continue at his disposal during his stay. At his departure, she saddles his horse and packs up his baggage. It would be very uncourteous to refuse any of these marks of hospitality." The different tribes of this restless and turbulent nation are generally at variance with each other, and with all their neighbours. Their dialects have no analogy with any known language, and their history and origin are at present utterly unknown.

Their districts, as enumerated in Major Rennel's Memoir, are, 1. Ingushi, about 60 miles to the southward of Mosdok, in the high mountains about the Kumbelai. 2. Endery; and, 3. Axai, on a low ridge between the Sundsha and Iaxai rivers. In their territories are the hot wells. 4. Aekinyurt towards the upper part of the Sundsha and Kumbelai. 5. Ardaki, on the Roshni that joins the Sundsha. 6. Wapi, near the Ossetin village Tshim, towards the source of the Terck. 7. Angusht, on the upper part of the Kumbelai. 8. Shalkha, called by the Russians Maloi Angusht. 9. Thetshen, on the lower part of the Argun river. 10. Atakhi, a small district on the upper part of the Argun. 11. Kulga, or Dshanti, in the high mountains. 12. Galgai, or Halha, about the source of the Asai, a Sundsha rivulet. 13. Tshabriio, and Shabul, on the Sundsha. 14. Tshibishni-Kabul, on the Roshni, a Sundsha rivulet. 15. Karaboulak, a wandering tribe, who have their little villages about the six uppermost rivulets of the Sundsha, particularly the Fortan. 16. Meesti, Meredshi, Galashka, and Duhan, are small tribes on the Axai.

The Ingushi, or first of the above tribes, submitted to Russia in 1770. They are capable of arming about 3000 men; they call themselves Ingushi, Kisti, or Halha; they live in villages near each other, containing about 20 or 30 houses; are diligent husbandmen, and rich in cattle. Many of their villages have a stone tower, which serves in time of war as a retreat to their women and children, and as a magazine for their effects. These people are all armed, and have the custom of wearing shields.—Their religion is very simple, but has some traces of Christianity: They believe in one God, whom they call Daillé, but have no saints or religious persons; they celebrate Sunday, not by any religious ceremony, but by resting from labour; they have a fast in spring, and another in summer; they observe no ceremonies either at births or death; they allow of polygamy, and eat pork. One kind of sacrifice is usual among them: at certain times a sheep is killed by a person who seems to be considered as a kind of priest, as he is obliged to live in a state of celibacy. His habitation is in the mountains, near an old stone church, which is said to be adorned with various statues and inscriptions. Under the church is a vault that contains certain old books, which, however, no one ever attempts to approach. Mr Guldenstaedt was prevented by the weather from visiting this church.

The 6th, 7th, and 8th tribes, which were formerly tributary to the Cabardean princes, submitted to Russia in 1770. The 9th, Tschetshen, is governed by its own chiefs, who are related to the Avar-Khan. This tribe is so numerous and warlike, and has given the Russians so much trouble, that its name is usually given by them to the whole Kisti nation. The chief village of Tschetshen lies on the Argun, about 15 miles from its mouth. Its other principal villages are Hadshiaul and Iangejent, both on the Sundsha.