147 



which are replaced by the four corner, or mark teeth. These teeth are 

 slow growers, but at four years and a half are visible above the gums, 

 which have then a raw or inflamed, appearance. The cavity of the 

 mark teeth is fleshy, having a dark spot in the centre, resembling the 

 eye of a bean, which is the mark. 



When the tushes do not appear in due time, namely, on the centre 

 of the mouth being perfect, it may be taken for granted, the unfair 

 trick has been played, of prematurely removing the foal's teeth, in order 

 to accelerate the appearance of four years old, that the colt may be 

 rendered more saleable. Even with a filly this trick may be betrayed 

 by the shortness of her teeth ; and with a colt it ought not to succeed, 

 since it is generally certain, that a colt cannot be four years old, unless 

 his tushes may be seen or felt. 



At the age of five years, the Horse's middle teeth have acquired 

 nearly their full size ; the corner teeth arise somewhat above the gums, 

 and the size of the tushes is increased, they continuing rough and sharp 

 on the edges. The corner, or mark-teeth, are now styled sheUy, from 

 their resemblance to a shell, which encircles half way the flesh in the 

 centre, and which flesh, during the further growth of the teeth, disap- 

 pears, leaving a palpable cavity. At, or soon after five years, the 

 mark-teeth are about the thickness of a crown piece above the gums. 

 In a half year more they will be upwards of a quarter of an inch; and 

 the Horse being full six years of age, these corner teeth will be nearly 

 half an inch, or more, above the gums. 



The corner teeth in the upper jaw, fall before those in the inferior; 

 in course the upper corner teeth are seen before those below ; on the 

 contrary, the tushes in the under gums, appear before those in the 

 upper. 



At six years the tushes are full grown, or said to be up, appearing 

 white, small and sharp, and surrounded by a small circle of florid, 

 growing flesh. The cavity in the corner teeth is just perceptible, the 

 black mark having very nearly reached the upper extremity. 



At seven, the two middle teeth fill up, and the black mark becomes 

 of a fainter colour, and less visible in the corner teeth. Between the 



u 2 seventh 



