BOOK I.
Many persons hold the opinion that the metal indus
tries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one
of sordid toil, and altogether a kind of business
requiring not so much skill as labour. But as for
myself, when I reflect carefully upon its special
points one by one, it appears to be far otherwise.
For a miner must have the greatest skill in his
work, that he may know first of all what mountain
or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most
profitably, or what he should leave alone; moreover, he must understand the
veins, stringers1 and seams in the rocks2. Then he must be thoroughly
familiar with the many and varied species of earths, juices3, gems,
stones, marbles, rocks, metals, and compounds4. He must also have a
tries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one
of sordid toil, and altogether a kind of business
requiring not so much skill as labour. But as for
myself, when I reflect carefully upon its special
points one by one, it appears to be far otherwise.
For a miner must have the greatest skill in his
work, that he may know first of all what mountain
or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most
profitably, or what he should leave alone; moreover, he must understand the
veins, stringers1 and seams in the rocks2. Then he must be thoroughly
familiar with the many and varied species of earths, juices3, gems,
stones, marbles, rocks, metals, and compounds4. He must also have a