On The Nature of Metals - De Re Metallica:

Book I: Arguments Against Art.
Book II: Locating Veins.
Book III: A Thin Layer of Value. Phlebotomy Studies.
Book IV: Delimiting Veins. 
Book V: Native Metal. Surveying the Land and Exploitating Potential.
Book VI: Tools and Machines.
Book VII: Assaying purity.
Book VIII: Burning, Washing and Decontamination.