CAUCASUS
peoples. Caucasus was a misnomer, as there was no connection in race between the Aryan, the Semitic and the 16 or more distinct races of the Caucasus Mountains. The word is now used for the fair type of man as opposed to the black, the red and the yellow type; but it is understood not to imply any common race or language in the peoples included under the name.
Caucasus (ka'kd-sus), a mountain range which occupies the isthmus between the Black and Caspian Seas, its general direction being from west-northwest to east-southeast. It is about 750 miles long by 150 miles broad. There are at least six peaks over 16,000 feet high; Mt. Elburz, 18,000 feet, is the highest. There are but few glaciers, very little perpetual snow and no active volcanoes, though Elburz and other peaks are of volcanic formation; while there are hot springs and mud volcanoes at each extremity of the range. There are but two roads across the Caucasus, the Derbend Pass and the fine military road built by the Russians through the Dariel Gorge. The Caucasus has been called the mountain of languages, from the many tongues, distinct from one another, having little or no likeness to any other languages on the globe, which are spoken in this narrow area. Some 16 or more distinct and well marked races, including the Georgians, Circassians, etc., are found in the region of the Caucasus. For over 50 years this region resisted the advance of Russia; but with the capture of Schamyl, the prophet-chief of the Lesghians, who had withstood the armies sent against him for 20 years, the power of the Caucasians was shattered. Since 1871 the country has been wholly under the dominion of Russia.
Caucus (derivation doubtful), in politics, a term applied to designate a conference, generally preliminary to a subsequent public meeting, of men who desire to select delegates, nominate certain party representatives for office or take certain action in regard to some public question, give shape to and outline proposed later legislation, as well as to ascertain and discuss the views of those so called together in preliminary and sometimes secret council. The deliberation is one usually held to promote unity among members of the same party, in regard to public measures, and suggesting the line to be taken in advancing such, or possibly, in balking and defeating them, if objected to or deemed unwise and inexpedient.
Cau'licle (in plants), a name formerly applied to the hypocotyl, that is the stem-like part of a seedling, which appears below the first leaves or cotyledons. See EMBRYO.
Cavalier (kav'a-ler'), meaning horseman at first, but afterward it came to mean gallant, and was so used by Shake-
speare. In the struggle between Charles I and Parliament in 1641, the courtiers were nicknamed cavaliers, while the friends of Parliament were called Roundheads. At first applied in derision it was held as a title of honor, until after 1679 when it was replaced by the term Tory.
Cavalry. See ARMY.
Cave-Men, prehistoric dwellers in caves or caverns, usually convenient to streams of water. Their homes have been traced in Belgium, France, Switzerland and also in Britain, and in their cave-shelters have been found primitive tools and weapons and the teetn and bones of the animals on which they rudely subsisted. Their era appears to have been the paleolithic or stone age. They were a tall, powerful race, fitted well for their early rude environment, primitive in their manner of life, and without skill to fashion or invent any but the simplest weapons and utensils They were ignorant of the metals, of pottery and of agriculture, and had no domestic animals.
Cav'endish, Henry, a distinguished English chemist and physicist, born at Nice, Oct. 10, 1731, died Mar. 10, 1810. His most important work includes the discovery of the composition of water; the composition of nitric acid; and the determination of the mean density of the earth. Since the discovery of argon by Lord Rayleigh, it has become evident that Cavendish in his studies on the composition of air had, at that early date, isolated argon, but without knowing it. Cavendish was never married. He was a man of great wealth, leaving a private fortune of between three and four million dollars.
Cavite (kd-ve'td), Philippine Islands, a province and city in Luzon Island, on the southwest side of Manila Bay, seven or eight miles southwest of Manila. Since the Philippines were ceded to the United States in Dec. 1898, after the close of the war with Spain, Cavite harbor, which is strongly defended, has become the chief naval station of the archipelago. There, on May i, 1898, an American squadron under Admiral Dewey destroyed a Spanish one under Admiral Montojo. Besides the docks, repair shops and government-buildings, Cavite has an arsenal and in the town a hospital, several convents and churches, together with an extensive tobacco factory. The area of Cavite province is 500 square miles and the popula* tion of the city (1907) about 4,500.
Cavour (ka'vdor'), Camillo Benso, Count di, the restorer of Italian unity and nationality, was born at Turin, Aug. 10, 1810, of an old noble family of Piedmont. He was a student of the military school, and when only 16 was made an officer of engineers. At an early age he was stirred with a desire to improve
