228 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



The portion of the tooth which is buried in the gums 

 is called " the root ;" the nippers are placed parallel to the 

 axis of the jaw, that is, perpendicular to it ; the dividers are 

 somewhat oblique, and the corner teeth still more so, witli 

 their roots turning inwards ; the semicircle formed by the 

 roots of. these teeth is considerably narrower, and -occupies 

 less space than that of the free portion. 



The length, shapf", and proportions of the roots change 

 .according to the different degrees of age, and present some 

 variations, which it is necessary to describe. During the time 

 of the protrusion of the tooth, the root is generally roun 1, 

 short, and quite hollow ; its internal cavity, the sides of 

 which are very thin, is only of temporary duration, and does 

 not present, like the external cavity, a sort of funnel, which 

 is peculiar to the latter. It buries, itself deeply, is prolonged 

 externally, surrounds the outer funnel, and contains a pulpy 

 substance that appears to be the central germ of vitality 

 and nourishment to the tooth. According as the animal 

 advances in age, a progressive diminution of this cavity takes 

 place, commencing at the bottom, and beginning towards 

 the inner edge of the tooth ; it is collected from the side 

 next the root. The latter lengthens, continues constantly 

 to grow, and the fresh portions, instead of being rounded, 

 are at first triangular, and then flattened from side to side ; 

 and lastly, at a period that varies in some horses according 

 to the teeth, the cavity disappears altogether ; the root is 

 then pointed at its termination, and entirely ceases to grow 



The entire length of the temporary incisors varies from 

 an inch and a quarter to an inch and three quarters ; and 

 the permanent i«cisors from two inches and a half to three 

 and a quarter. Their form is not the same throughout. 

 Thus, next to the surface of wear, they become flattened 

 from front to rear, they narrow towards the edge of the 



