332 



STRUCTURE AND ADAPTATION OF TEETH 



grinding surface to the implanted extremity ; and 

 as these describe a curve in their sockets, the 

 highly vascular pulp is protected, as in the 

 incisors, from the injurious effects of direct 

 pressure. 



The molars of the capybara consist, like those 

 of the elephant, of an aggregation of dentinal 

 plates, with interposed folds of enamel, and com- 

 pacted together by cementum. They are arranged 

 transversely across the axis of the jaw, and pre- 

 sent another remarkable analogy with those of 

 the elephant, that the number of transverse 

 laminaB increases in each successive tooth as the 

 animal advances in age. (Figs. 55 and 56.) 



EiGS. 55 & 5G. — Upper and under jaws of Capybara, showing longitu- 

 dinal direction of hinge. 



In order that these transverse plates may be 

 brought into effective action, the condyloid process 



