What type of description might be used when property is not recorded on a map?

The correct answer is metes and bounds. This method of property description involves a detailed narrative that outlines the boundaries of a parcel of land using measurable distances and angles, along with physical landmarks. It is particularly useful for properties that are irregularly shaped or not accurately represented by simpler methods of legal descriptions.

This system begins at a specific point known as the "point of beginning" and describes the perimeter of the property by tracing its boundaries in a clockwise direction. The description often uses terms like "north," "south," "east," and "west," followed by distances, along with reference to notable features such as trees, roads, or bodies of water. Since this method captures the unique contours of a property, it is relevant for situations where properties cannot be represented on a map.

The other options represent methods of describing land that typically relate to specific systems or surveys. For example, sectional descriptions use divisions established by the Public Land Survey System, while range descriptions denote parcels of land based on established ranges and townships. Legal descriptions may refer generally to any method to identify a property precisely, but in the context of unrecorded properties, metes and bounds stands out as the most appropriate choice due to its adaptability to varied geographic layouts.