242 VETERINARY DENTAL SURGERY. 



come into wear. This when it can be examined is 

 almost positive evidence as to the age. 



If the mouth of a colt be closely examined at 

 from six to nine months, small spicules of bone, or 

 more properly teeth, will be noticed making their 

 appearance just back (and at the same time) of the 

 corner teeth; these are the deciduous or temporary 

 canine teeth. I have never noticed them in a filly. 

 They are shed in the course of a few weeks, usually 

 by the time the corner incisors are up and in wear. 



If the colt is large and well developed, it may at 

 this age be mistaken for a two-year-old, for the in- 

 cisor teeth are very much alike at one and two years 

 of age. 



The incisor teeth of a yearling somewhat resem- 

 ble those of a five-year-old. No one, however, could 

 mistake a yearling for a five-year-old, unless it be 

 among the ponies which have to shift for themselves, 

 in which the general appearance of youth is quickly 

 lost; such is said to be the case in some instances 

 with the ponies on the western plains. 



At about eighteen months the fifth molar, perma- 

 nent, begins to protrude or can be felt immediately 

 under the gums. At two years it is level with the 

 other molars, but not yet worn away on the table 

 surface. 



At two years the incisors all have their table sur- 

 faces in wear, with the exception of an occasional 



