it varies. He adds to the iron whether it is male or female, for the male is sharper and more effective. If he enters into a Salam contract for vessels whose size, length, thickness, and circumference can be verified—such as upright containers and basins—it is permissible, and he defines them by all these attributes. If he enters into a Salam contract for wooden bowls and cups, it is permissible; he must specify the type of wood, such as walnut or mulberry, their dimensions in terms of size and magnitude, depth and narrowness, thickness and thinness, and the type of workmanship. If he enters into a Salam contract for a sword, he must define it by the type of iron, its length and width, its thinness and thickness, its place of origin, whether it is of old or modern forging, whether it is a blade or otherwise, and he must describe its hilt and scabbard (56).

Section: Wood is of various types. Some is intended for construction; he must mention its type, its dryness and moisture, length, circumference or thickness, and width. He is obligated to deliver to him from one end to the other with that width and circumference. If one of its ends is thicker than what was described, he has increased the quality for him; if it is thinner, he is not obligated to accept it. If he specifies the weight or [a range of] tolerance, it is permissible; even if he does not specify it, it is permissible, provided it is free from knots, as that is a defect. If it is for bows, he must mention these attributes and add whether it is from the plains, the mountains, a sapling (57), or a split branch (58); for mountain wood is stronger than plain wood, and a sapling is stronger than a split branch. For firewood, he must mention thickness, dryness, moisture, and weight. For construction beams, he must mention the type, thickness, and everything else necessary to know it and remove ignorance. If he enters into a Salam contract for arrows and shafts, he defines them by their genus, length and shortness, thinness and thickness, color, arrowhead, and feathers.

Section: Stones include those intended for mills (59); he defines them by circumference, thickness,