Caucăsus

, a celebrated mountain between the Euxine and Caspian seas, which may be considered as the continuation of the ridge of mount Taurus. Its height is immense. It was inhabited anciently by various savage nations who lived upon the wild fruits of the earth. It was covered with snow in some parts, and in others it was variegated with fruitful orchards and plantations. The inhabitants formerly were supposed to gather gold on the shores of their rivulets in sheepskins, but they now live without making use of money. Pro me the us was tied on the top of Caucasus by Jupiter, and continually devoured by vultures, according to ancient authors. The pa es near this mountain, called Caucasiæ portæ , bear now the name of Derbent , and it is supposed that through them the Sarmatians, called Huns, made their way, when they invaded the provinces of Rome. Pliny , bk. 6 , ch. 11 .— Strabo , bk. 11 .— Hero dot us , bk. 4 , ch. 203 , . — Virgil , Eclogues , poem 6; Georgics , ch. 2 , li. 440 ; Æneid , bk. 4 , li. 366 .— Flaccus , bk. 5 , li. 155 .