Final answer:
a metes-and-bounds land description encloses an area by returning to the starting point, using physical features for boundaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
A metes-and-bounds description must start at a point of beginning (POB) and end back at the POB to ensure that the described tract is completely enclosed.
Metes and bounds is a system of land description where the land is described using boundaries based on physical features of the geography, like trees, rocks, and streams. This cadastral system was introduced by English settlers during the colonial period. Surveyors would write a description of the land that became a legal claim once registered. Since landmarks used to demarcate boundaries can be moveable, this system could lead to complexities in determining precise property lines.
In the metes-and-bounds system, a detailed description of a tract of land is provided by specifying its boundaries using various measurements and landmarks. The description starts at a specific point and then proceeds along the boundaries, returning back to the starting point. This ensures that the described tract is completely enclosed and there are no gaps or open areas.