The common interest of both empires imposed on the Colchians the duty of guarding the passes of Mount Caucasus, where a wall of sixty miles is now defended by the monthly service of the musketeers of Mingrelia.

[82] [Footnote 76: Herodot.l.iii.c.97.

See, in l.vii.c.79, their arms and service in the expedition of Xerxes against Greece.] [Footnote 77: Xenophon, who had encountered the Colchians in his retreat, (Anabasis, l.iv.p.320, 343, 348, edit.

Hutchinson; and Foster's Dissertation, p.

liii .-- lviii., in Spelman's English version, vol.ii.,) styled them.