Descriptions utilizing monuments also may include, at least partially, a metes and bounds description. A monument may be defined as a landmark that is used for the purpose of indicating a boundary of a parcel of land. It may be either natural or artificial.

Natural monuments are rivers, lakes, streams, trees, mountains, rocks or springs.

Artificial monuments are landmarks such as fences, walls, houses, streets, alleys, posts, canals or drainage ditches.

A monument may consist of an "imaginary line" caused by a produced street or alley or the intersection point of two produced streets, etc.

This is the most dangerous of all descriptions — the danger becoming apparent in later years when it is found that the monument marker has changed or disappeared completely. Over a period of years rivers change course; lake, stream and even mountain boundaries change; trees may be cut or blown down; fences, walls, houses, posts and stakes are easily moved; canals and drainage ditches may be filled in; streets may be closed, be widened or have their names changed.