In addition to describing the estate which the grantee is to take, it is also necessary that the deed should identify the land to be transferred by such deed. This identification of the land may be secured by reference to the following: (1) natural objects or boundaries, such as rivers, mountains, etc.; (2) artificial devices, such as stakes or marked trees; (3) courses and distances.

By course is meant the direction of a line, and by distance, its extent. Natural objects and artificial devices are also known as monuments; courses and distances, as metes and bounds. The name of calls is given to all the above mentioned objects collectively.

It is also a common practice to insert in a deed the quantity of land conveyed thereby. In case of inconsistencies between the different methods of identification they control, in the following order: first, natural objects; second, artificial devices, third, courses and distances, and fourth, enumeration of quantity.

In the case of a description where one description is accurate and the other manifestly inaccurate, the latter may be rejected as surplusage.