CHAPTER IX. 



On the AGE of the HOESE. 



CjUADRUPEDS generally furnish some visible 

 mark, whereby their age may be ascertained 

 with tolerable certainty. Thus, the ox acquires 

 annually an additional ring on his horns; the 

 buck, an additional branch to the palm. 



In the horse it is manifested by an alteration 

 in the appearance of the teeth, and certain 

 parts of the mouth. The horse possesses forty 

 teeth, viz. twelve front teeth, or incisores, or 

 nippers, twenty-four molares or grinders, and 

 four canine teeth, which are called tushes; these 

 last are wanting in the mare, except In some 

 very few instances. Until five years old, the age 

 of the horse is ascertained by the successive 



shedding 



