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CHAPTER VII
THE VALLEY OF THE URUKH
Lectus, ciilcitra, plumae. pulvini desunt, O inollem et effemimUum hominem, omnium instar
tibi foenum erit '.
C. GESNER, A.D. 1555.
HE Urukh Valley is the only great valley
north of the maui elevation of the
Central Caucasus that runs for any
distance parallel to the chain. It is
to this fact that it owes the distinc-
tive character of its scenery. The
mountains at its head, crystalline
schists, are comparatively tame in out-
line, but the granitic ranges on either
flank are bold, lofty,
and clothed in
glaciers.
When we study the map closely
we find that from the Nakra Valley in
Suanetia to the Mamison Pass the crystalline rocks which form the
central elevation of tlie Caucasus constitute not one but two or
three parallel ridges. A crest starting from Dongusorun serves as
the watershed as far as Salynan Bashi, and then continues in
the Koshtantau-Dykhtau Spur and the mountains north of the
Urukli. Another ridge, stalling from Shtavler, passes
south of the
head of the Betsho Valley through Bak and the peaks immediately
above the Mujalaliz, and then becomes the watershed at Gestola.
In neither of these ridges is the granite continuous ; it alternates
with the schists. Schists crop up east of Dongusorun and about