PYATIGORSK  , a

town and watering-place of Russian Caucasia, in the province of Terek, 141 M. by rail N.W. of Vladikavkaz . Pop . (1882), 13,670; (1897), 18,638 . It owes its origin to its mineral waters, which have long been known to the inhabitants of Caucasia . The sulphur springs, about fifteen in number, come from a great depth, and vary in temperature from 75° to 96° F.; they are used both for drinking and for bathing . The first buildings were erected in 1812, and in 183o the name of Pyatigorsk (" town of the five mountains ") was given to the new settlement . Its subsequent rapid increase was greatly stimulated by the completion of the railway connexion with Rostov-on-the-Don . The town is charmingly situated on a small plateau, 168o ft. above sea-level, at the foot of the Beshtau, Mashuk and three other outliers of the Caucasus range, which protect it on the north . The snow-covered summits of the Elbruz are visible to the south . The most noteworthy features are a cathedral, a monument to the poet M . Y . Lermontov (1814-1841), and a hydropathic .