IMIRETTA, a principality of Asia, situated in the Cau casian regions, between the Black Sea and the Caspian. It is bounded on the north by the principal chain of Cauca sus, on the east by Georgia, on the south by the pachalic of Aghalzighe, and on the west by the Black Sea. It ex ceeds 100 miles in length from east to west, and is proba bly nearly as many from north to south. liniretta is wa tered by the Rioni and Kwrili, or Quirilia, said to signify the roaring rivers, besides numerous tributary streams, the course of most of which is interrupted by cataracts. The former rises in the mountains of Soanni, and after being swelled by the waters descending from the hills of Georgia, falls into the Black Sea at Poti. The climate is extreme ly mild ; snow seldom lies on the ground ; and the rivers in the southern parts are never frozen over. Much of the surface consists of rocks and mountains, interspersed with fertile vallies and plains. Abundance of fruit of the finest flavour grows wild and without cultivation ; and the trunk of the vine is known to attain 15 inches in diameter. En tire hills are overgrown with olive, chesnut, and valuable timber trees; and the lower grounds are full of almonds, quinces, pears, and plums, the latter sometimes bearing twice a year. Copious harvests of grain, as also of cotton, hemp, and flax, are obtained by the inhabitants, who like -wise cultivate the quantity of silk that may be required. From the variety and abundance of fruit, this country has been compared to one vast orchard. Imiretta yields a kind of green honey, AVhich possesses a highly intoxicating quality; and another very singular product called alone honey, or quatupli, by the natives, whose nature is imper fectly explained. It is described to be quite solid, as hard as sugar-candy, brittle, and not viscous. The honey and wax form one mass, generally of a white colour, but grow ing yellow with age. It is endowed with a pleasant aromatic flavour, and is found in the clefts of rocks. The lmirettians frequently carry it about with them in their pockets.
The population of the principality is computed at 20,000 families, whose personal appearance is superior to that of their neighbours. They are, in general, an indolent, dis trustful, and proud, though servile, race ; bold and fear less. They are distinguished by the virtue of hospitality ;
and travellers are always offered hong, fruits, and wine. Honey, among several of the Caucassian nations, forms a common ingredient of food, which occasions the cultiva tion of bees to a great extent in this country. The Imi rettians are fond of dress and ornaments ; they wear seve ral cloaks at a time ; and those who can afferd it orna ment themselves with chains of gold and silver. But the larger portion, from indolence, insecurity, and other causes, are exceedingly poor, and even reduced to great necessi ties. They are dispersed in retreats on woody hills, by the sides of rivers or in valleys, courting solitude, it is said, in order to screen themselves from their enemies, as well as to be preserved from oppression. But they use certain calls or signals, by which, on extraordinary occa sions, hundreds are collected in a moment, in places where no one could previously be discovered. As nearly the whole inhabitants dwell in solitary hamlets, the country contains scarcely any towns except Cotatis or Kuthais, the capital, situated on the right bank of the Phasis or Rioni, and Poti or Puti on the left bank of the same river, at its efflux into the Black Sea. Cotatis seems to consist of somewhat more than 100 houses, chiefly inhabited by Ar menian merchants, and is now in a state of decay. Poti is geographically situated within the confines of i\Iingrelia, and is not known to be larger than the former. In 1806 it was in the possession of the Turks ; and it was taken by the Russians in 1809.
The natives of lrniretta are chiefly occupied in agricul ture. Some thousands emigrate annually to Georgia, where they hire themselves out as servants or porters. The remainder manufacture good silken stuffs and thick woollen cloths, but no linens. They make a kind of wine of superior quality to that of the countries in the vi cinity, much of which is exported in skins to Georgia, and drank at Teflis; and they also export grain, honey, and wax. All the commerce of Cotatis is in the hands of Ar menians, who carry their traffic as far as the Russian es tablishment of i\Iozdok.