in mining, cross-bars of wood in the shafts which are sunk to mines. In many places the way is to sink a perpendicular hole or shaft, the sides of which they strengthen from top to bottom with wood-work, to prevent the earth from falling in: the transverse pieces of wood used for this purpose, they call stemples; and by means of these the miners, in some places, descend without using any rope, catching hold of these with their hands and feet.