which may be mentioned the Miask and Flatoustovsk foundries, the productions of which surprised visitors to the Great Exhibition in the year 1851. The whole extent of country from the plain of Kundravinsk across Miask, Flatoustovsk, as far as Ufa and Birsk, is exceedingly picturesque, and presents in many places the most charming scenery. This district is called the Russian Tyrol.

The fourth portion of the Uralian district comprises the entire remaining portion of the governments of Perm and Orenburg on the other side of the mountains, and bordering on the confines of the government of Tobolsk in the east, and from the sources of the Sosva to the banks of the Uisk rivers from north to south. The whole extent of country along the foot of the wild Verhotursk mountains, downwards to the river Tagil, is a frightful wilderness. On ascending this mountain, and casting a glance around and beneath, the traveller beholds, as in a panorama, deep plains with unfathomable abysses; eternal pine forests, only inhabited by the wildest beasts; shifting morasses; and in the distant north, ice-bound marshy plains: only along the course of the rivers there are a few scattered habitations. One only branch of industry-mining, and the labour it entails-gives life and movement to this gloomy country; and the district of Verhotursk is in this respect of great importance. The country from the Tagil to the Iseta is the so-called Russian Potosi, the most precious as regards its great variety in mineral wealth and importance. It is also the centre of the whole of the Uralian mining administration. Ekatherimburg deserves, more than any other European town, to be called a mining town par excellence. However, this district is also rich in excellent pasturegrounds, fertile meadows, and excellent building timber, and belongs, generally speaking, to the finest portions of the government of Perm. It is only in the extremest south of the wealthy district of Tcheliabinsk that the country assumes a steppe-like nature, and in some places becomes destitute of forests and water; but even here the inhabitants benefit by an extensive barter trade on the line, and the sale of their goods at the fairs of Troitzsk and Irbit.

The eight districts which we have just described, constitute the first or European half of the Russian Empire; we purpose terminating now our task with a few concluding observations.

1. The extensive plain of European Russia possesses less low lands than elevated places.

2. Owing to the great extent of the Russian plains in this empire, more than in any other country in Europe, a uniformity in quality of soil and in climate is decidedly observable; this at any rate is undeniably the case in the interior districts of the empire.

3. The mountains of the Russian empire are principally situated at its extreme limits, or at the north-western, south-western, southern, and eastern confines; from this fact, all the rivers that stream down these mountains, empty their waters upon the extensive interior plain in close proximity, and thus offer a valuable facility for a close intercommunication with the various districts; and we think it is not saying too much, if we assert that Russia possesses one of the finest natural systems of rivers, when compared with other mountainous countries, in Europe.

4. The interior of European Russia presents an extensive plain, and derives its greatest wealth and prosperity from its agricultural industry and the breeding of cattle; the chase of wild animals yielding an important fur-trade, and mineral riches are found around the high and numerous mountains which are situated at the extreme confines of the empire.

The two remaining districts, the Caucasian and the Siberian, have little in common with the European districts of Russia in a climatic or physical point of view.

IX. THE CAUCASIAN DISTRICT.

HERE we include all the country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, which is intersected by the Caucasus and its numerous branches. This extent of country differs from the other portions in climate, in the qualities of its soil, and in its physical productions. Nature presents here all the different degrees of fertility and unproductiveness; of heat and cold; sudden transition from naked rocks to the most fertile and most beautiful plains, from eternally ice-bound spots to an evergreen paradise. The soil in many places bountifully rewards the easy toil of the indolent agriculturist of these regions, which are capable of producing the choicest vegetation of tropical climates. All this extent of country, owing to the physical differences that are everywhere observable, may be divided into five various portions: the Northern, the Eastern, the Southern, the Western, and the Interior.

1. The Northern part of the Caucasian district, extends from the rivers Anapa and Kouban to the mouth of the Terek; it is the promontory of the Caucasus. This district is, as it were, the entrance leading into craggy defiles, towards the highest mountains, the summits of which disappear in the clouds. These mountains run from north to south, nearly in a straight line from Georgievsk. At the southern extremity of this branch is the Elbrouz, the highest of all the mountains of the Caucasus, and visible to the traveller from a distance of more than 300 vrests. The Beschtau, the Metchuck, and the Kasbek, are the most important of these branches; their heights are covered with snow and ice, in the midst of them grow thick forests, at their base are seen swamps and marshes mixed with productive land; from these mountains towards the west and towards the east steppes extend; these mountains contain also excellent reservoirs, and from their ravines numerous rivers spring: the Kouban in the west; the Laba, Malka, Kouma, and the Beksan in the north; and the Terek in the east. The banks of the rivers are generally productive. From these mountains mineral springs also gush forth, for which this portion of the Caucasus is so justly renowned. Kislovodsk, Goriatchevodsk, at the foot of the Beschtau, and many other warm springs near the Terek, would have been perhaps more celebrated and visited than any other European mineral watering places, were the country in which they are situated better populated and more civilised. The whole of the northern portion of the Caucasus, is inhabited by various mountain tribes: the Kabardians, Tcherkess, Kumyks, Kists, Tchetchenzes, and Osetians. U. S. MAG., No. 310, SEPTEMBER, 1854.

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The climate is rather harsher than could have been expected, considering the latitude in which this portion lies; the mountains screen this land from the warm winds of the south, whilst from the steppes bordering it on the north, the cold winds of the north sweep uninterruptedly across it. The climate in the environs of the Kouban and Terek is warm, but unwholesome on account of the numerous marshes that are created by these rivers before they empty themselves into the sea. However, the various mountain ridges, and the defiles in the interior of this country, cause great changes in the degrees of heat and cold. This district is in general very rich in fine grasses for feeding cattle, possesses extensive forests, and is well adapted for agricultural purposes; the best portions of land are the plains along the course of the Aksaja and Koissu rivers, where the vine, and numerous other fruittrees, as well as the celebrated Sorotchinsk wheat, grow.

2. The Eastern part is a stretch of country lying along the shores of the sea from the district of Agrahansk to that of Lenkora, or to the confines of Persia-it includes Daghistan, Apsheron or Bakou, and the Khanates of Shirvan and Talshinsk. The sudden changes from oppressive sultriness to intense cold, the variation of the weather, the sudden gusts of wind from the sea, which often become hurricanesan unwholesome atmosphere-these are the more prominent features of the climate in this district. The mountains, which are a continuation of the Caucasus, impart to this country a variety of aspects as well as beautiful sceneries. The Bishbarmack is the highest among the mountains; it commands the plain of the Caspian Sea, and serves as a lighthouse to the seafaring population. The ground is a rich black loam, exceedingly productive, but often intersected by sand banks, miry marshes, salt marshes; lakes containing sweet and bitter salts, and in the environs of Apsheron there are naphtha springs, sacred to the Guebres, or followers of Zoroaster.

3. The Southern part-the latest acquisitions of Russia from Persia and from Turkey—includes in its limits the Khanate of Karabash and the whole of Russian Armenia, i.e., the former Khanates of Erivan and Nahitchevan, and the district of Akhaltchick. Mount Ararat, with its snow-covered heights, constitutes the southern boundary-line of this portion; and the mounts Alages and Karaklis, and the upper flow of the river Kour, the northern frontier. The stretch of country between the mountains, is an extensive plain, sufficiently productive, but wanting water and forests, and, owing to these deficiencies, but scantily populated. The country along the course of the rivers Araxes, Kur, Arpatcha, and Zenga, is rich in every luxury of life. Gardens full of fruit-trees form the most pleasant groves, in which the inhabitants take refuge during the oppressive sultriness prevailing during the day, and where alone they can cool and refresh themselves.

4. The Western part-the extent of country from the sources of the Arpatcha and the Kur, or from Ahalkalakij and Akhaltchick, along the shores of the Black Sea as far as Anapa-comprises Abasia, Mingrelia, and part of the Pachalic of Akaltsic, ceded by Turkey. Here we behold a continual change of landscape and sceneries: mountains, hills, plains, defiles, forests, pasture-grounds, meadows, through which

numerous brooks and mountain rivers wind, remarkable for their strong current and splendid waterfalls. The soil is generally exceedingly productive; the temperature is so pleasant and warm that the fig and cotton-trees, and even indigo, grow to perfection. The climate is temperate even in the most mountainous districts; there are, however, some unwholesome districts, but with the increase of population, and the meditated improvements of the administration, these disadvantages may gradually disappear.

5. The Interior part includes Immeritia, Georgia, i.e. Kachetia, Kartalina, and Somchetia, also Lesghistan and the Khanate of Shekinsk. All these districts are copiously intersected by high mountains; still, there is none of that striking scenery, either beautiful or terrifying, for which Switzerland and Italy are so justly celebrated; nor such even as is to be seen in other portions of the Trans-Caucasian territory. The country cannot even boast of any lakes, which lend such indescribable charm to a mountainous region. The only effect which the mountains produce here, as well as in the other parts of the whole extent, is a considerable difference in climate, as well as in soil. There are stony districts as well as steppes and unproductive land; but there is also land of unusual productiveness. There are cold regions as well as temperate, and even sultry and oppressive. Not exclusively this district alone, but, in fact, the whole extent of the Trans-Caucasian district, has to suffer from the devastating power of the plague, which is carried over here by the winds blowing from the hottest regions of northern Asia. The district of Elizabeth-polsk particularly, and more than any other portion of Georgia, is oftentimes visited by an unbearable sultriness that is absolutely destructive to health. Kachetia is one of the finest, richest, and most productive portions of Georgia, and produces the best wine grown throughout the country.

(To be continued.)

ARTILLERY.

FIELD AND GARRISON, AS AT PRESENT CONSTITUTED IN THE BRITISH SERVICE.

No comment will be required in stating how important it is to preserve this arm of the service in the most effective working order,-as on its efficient application so much depends. In neither of the three arms is greater practice and more constant instruction required than in that of artillery; and yet in this arm there is less continuous training, at any one of the many duties, than in either of the other arms; for the simple reason, that one day the artilleryman is employed in the field,• and another day in garrison,-the duties of which being perfectly different from each other, the result is that he is proficient in neither: but such is the system adopted in the British service.

An artillery force, constituted on the most favourable footing, should be required "but to perform one separate duty," either the light guns of the field, or the heavy guns of a fortress: for the former, light, active men are to be preferred; for the latter, men of good physical

force, and not under 5 feet 9 inches in height. The duties attached to these two branches of the artillery service are so perfectly different, that constant application to each branch is essential. By the plan now adopted, just as a company is about getting perfect as a field-battery, it finds itself relieved from that duty, and placed in a locality where its duties are entirely of a different nature, such as working heavy guns on standing or traversing platforms-mounting or dismounting the same. The company which succeeds it as a field-battery, and takes over its horses, field-guns, &c., has but just emerged from the very duties upon which this one is now entering. Thus both are in a measure placed hors de combat; and all is hurry and confusion, until something approaching to working order is again established. Amongst other things to be accomplished before the field-battery can even appear for the purpose of commencing drill, a considerable number of men-the intended drivers-have to be instructed in riding. After that has been in a manner accomplished, the method of driving a pair of horses has to be taught. Thus it will be seen that, for the first three or four months, the new field-battery exists but in name, and the new garrison artilleryman, although sooner conversant with his new duties, yet is far from being really efficient. Thus there is continually a constant training; and as soon as the object of it is about attained, the whole is thrown up. This system, always bad, is now much more so, from the fact, that, previous to the late augmentations of the artillery, all recruits were kept a considerable period at Woolwich, and passed through every stage of the various drills; and thus, before being drafted to the different companies, were-" with the exception of the riding and driving, which the limits of Woolwich were never able to accomplish"-proficient in the general duties of artillerymen; but how different has the case been within the last eight years, since the augmentation from nine to thirteen battalions! The vacancies in the companies have been filled up by recruits, who in many cases had only been instructed in marching and small-arm drill,-their other duties having to be taught after joining their companies. The extent of the instruction afforded them in this manner being of necessity entirely dependent on the locality and resources of the station to which they may fall. Upon these considerations we most strongly and earnestly advocate:—

1st. That the present system of training artillery as both field and garrison, be abolished, and that they be distinct from each other.

2d. That the old system of a corps of drivers be re-established.

3d. That one more place, if not two, be appropriated on the same principle as at Woolwich, for similar training in the general duties of artillerymen.

At the present time, Woolwich cannot but be likened to "a head whose body has grown too large and unwieldy for its management." To continue to train efficient artillerymen at Woolwich alone, under the present system, is an impossibility. The injurious effects are now not only evident, but, if persevered in, may lead to bad results.

The matériel of the artillery is undoubtedly of the highest quality, and only requires fair play. Officers, and the higher ranks of noncommissioned officers, are well up to their professional duties; but time