TIME OF CUTTING. 55 



the same period of time that the twelve incisors are 

 cut. A permanent tooth attains its growth in about a 

 year. 



According to the best authorities, the molar and 

 canine teeth are cut at the following periods: The 

 first molars (in veterinary works they are called the 

 fourth, because the three premolars come in front of 

 them) are the first permanent teeth cut. The time of 

 their cutting varies, for the foal's jaws must be suffi- 

 ciently developed to afford them room, notwithstand- 

 ing they are usually the smallest of the six back teeth. 

 They are cut about the beginning of the second year, 

 and are generally ready for use by the time the foal is 

 two years old. The second molars are cut at about 

 the age of two years, and are therefore fully developed 

 by the end of the third year. The third pairs, the last 

 of the molars, and consequently the most posterior of 

 all the teeth, are sometimes cut as early as the third 

 year, in which case they would be developed by the end 

 of the third or the beginning of the fourth year. The 

 time, however, may be prolonged six months or more. 

 The canine teeth (tushes) emerge at or near the be- 

 ginning of the fourth year.* 



The time of the appearance of the incisors and pre- 

 molars has already been indicated in the preceding 

 chapter. However, the following extract from Prof. 

 Owen's "Odontography" is appropriate in this place, 

 as it throws further light on the subject, and to some 

 extent agrees with, the dates already given: 



" The first true permanent molar appears between 

 the eleventh and thirteenth months. The second fol- 



* For further particulars concerning the tushes the reader is 

 referred to the succeeding chapter, 



