BOOK IV.
The third book has explained the various and
manifold varieties of veins and stringers. This
fourth book will deal with mining areas and the
method of delimiting them, and will then pass on to
the officials who are connected with mining affairs1.
manifold varieties of veins and stringers. This
fourth book will deal with mining areas and the
method of delimiting them, and will then pass on to
the officials who are connected with mining affairs1.
Now the miner, if the vein he has uncovered
is to his liking, first of all goes to the Bergmeister
to request to be granted a right to mine, this
official's special function and office being to adjudi
cate in respect of the mines. And so to the first man who has discovered
the vein the Bergmeister awards the head meer, and to others the remaining
meers, in the order in which each makes his application. The size of
a meer is measured by fathoms, which for miners are reckoned at six feet
each. The length, in fact, is that of a man's extended arms and hands
measured across his chest; but different peoples assign to it different lengths,
is to his liking, first of all goes to the Bergmeister
to request to be granted a right to mine, this
official's special function and office being to adjudi
cate in respect of the mines. And so to the first man who has discovered
the vein the Bergmeister awards the head meer, and to others the remaining
meers, in the order in which each makes his application. The size of
a meer is measured by fathoms, which for miners are reckoned at six feet
each. The length, in fact, is that of a man's extended arms and hands
measured across his chest; but different peoples assign to it different lengths,