anciently Colchis, a part of Western Georgia, in Asia; bounded on the east by Iberia, or Georgia properly so called; on the west, by the Euxine sea; on the south, by Armenia, and part of Pontus; and on the north, by Mount Caucasus.

Colchis, or Mingrelia, is watered by a great many rivers; as the Corax, the Hippus, the Cyaneus, the Charistus, the Phasis, where the Argonauts landed, the Abasrus, the Cissa, and the Ophis, all emptying themselves into the Euxine sea. The Phasis does not spring from the mountains in Armenia, near the sources of the Euphrates, the Araxes, and the Tigris, as Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy, Dionysius, and after them Arrian, Reland, Calmet, and Sanson, have falsely asserted; but rises in Mount Caucasus; and flows not from south to north, but from north to south, as appears from the map of Colchis or Mingrelia in Thevenot's collection, and the account which Sir John Chardin gives of that country. This river forms in its course a small island called also Phasis: whence the pheasants, if Isidorus is to be credited, were first brought to Europe, and thence called by the Greeks Phasiani. The other rivers of Colchis are considerable.

The whole kingdom of Colchis was in ancient times very pleasant and fruitful, as it is still where duly cultivated; abounded in all necessaries of life; and was enriched with many mines of gold, which gave occasion to the fable of the Golden Fleece and the Argonautic expedition, so much celebrated by the ancients.

Sir John Chardin tells us, that this country extends above 100 miles in length and 60 in breadth; being not near so extensive as the ancient Colchis, which reached from the frontiers of Iberia or Georgia Proper, westward to the Palus Mecotis: that it is beautifully diversified with hills, mountains, valleys, woods, and plains, but badly cultivated: that there are all the kinds of fruits which are found in England, growing wild, but tasteless and insipid for want of culture: that, if the natives understood the art of making wines, those of this country would be the finest in the world: that there are many rivers which have their source in Mount Caucasus, particularly the Phasis, now called the Rion: that the country abounds in beves, hogs, wild boars, stags, and other venison; and in partridges, pheasants, and quails: that falcons, eagles, pelicans, lions, leopards, tygers, wolves, and jackals, breed on Mount Caucasus, and sometimes greatly annoy the country: that the people are generally handsome, the men strong and well made, and the women very beautiful; but both sexes very vicious and debauched: that they marry their nieces, aunts, or other relations, indifferently; and take two or three wives.