a place called Palastra, while others crossed it where it was covered with ice, near Bosagaz, which two places are 120 miles separate from each other; yet so well were their movements combined, that they came upon Ulu-Mohameth quite unexpectedly, and he was constrained to fly with his wife and children, leaving every thing in confusion behind him, as Khezi Mohameth became emperor or khan in his stead, and again crossed the Don in the month of June.

Proceeding westwards to the left from Tanna or Asof, along the coast of the sea of Zabachi, or the Palus Maeotis, and then for some distance along the Great or Black Sea, quite to the province of Mingrelia, one arrives, after three days journey, at the province of Chremuch, Kremuk, or Kromuk, the sovereign of which is called Bisserdi[3], and his son is named Chertibei[4], which signifies the true or real lord.  Bisserdi possesses a beautiful country, adorned with fertile fields, considerable rivers, and many fine woods, and can raise about a thousand horse.  The higher order of the people in this country chiefly subsist by plundering the caravans.  They have excellent horses; the people are valiant, inured to war, and very artful; but have nothing singular in their manners and appearance.  Their country abounds in corn, cattle, and honey; but produces no wine.  Beyond this country there are other provinces, which have a different language, and are not far from each other[5].  These in their order, considering Kremuk as the first, are, 2. Elipehe (Chippiche, or Kippike); 3. Tartarkosia (otherwise Tatakosia, Titarcossa, Tatartofia, or Tatartussia); 4. Sobai; 5. Chernethei (otherwise Cheuerthei, Khewerthei, Kharbatei, Kherbarthei, or Khabarda); 6. As, or the Alani.  All these provinces extend for twelve days journey, quite to Mingrelia; which latter province borders on the Kaitacchi or Chaitaki, who live about the Caspian mountains; and partly also near Georgiana, and on the shores of the Black Sea, and on the range of mountains which extends into Circassia.  On one side likewise Mingrelia is encompassed by the river Phasis, which falls into the Black Sea.  The sovereign of this country is called Bendian, or Dadian, and is in possession of two fortified towns near the sea, one of which is called Vathi, or Badias, and the name of the other is Savastopol[6].  Besides these he has several other castles and fortified rocks.  The whole country is stony and barren, and millet is the only kind of grain that it produces.  They get their salt from Kaffa.  They manufacture some dark coarse stuffs, and are a gross and barbarous people.  In this country Tetarti signifies white, and the word is likewise used to denote silver coin:  thus likewise the Greeks call silver money Aspro[7], the Turks Akeia, and the Kathayans Teugh, all of which words signify white; and hence, both in Venice and in Spain, certain silver coins are all called bianchi, which has the same signification.