— 226^ 



These are rulgarly denominated ^< wolves' teeth.*' They gene^ 

 ally disappear with the shedding of those members facing which 

 they are located. 



The changes in the teeth, after the first year, are character- 

 ized by the longer periods which divide them. Months have 

 heretofore separated the advent of single pairs ; but from this 

 date these appearances are to be reckoned by numbers and by 

 years. The foal has teeth sufficient to support and to maintain 

 its growth. Preparation is being made for the advent of the 

 sixth grinder, and for changes in those milk molars which were 

 in the mouth when the animal was born. At the same time 

 additional width is needed to allow the permanent incisors to 

 appear when their time comes. In the front teeth of a two- 

 year-old, there is a want of that fixedness which, one year be- 

 fore, was characteristic of these organs. The central nippers 

 have done their duty, or, at all events, something approaching 

 to maturity has been attained. 



Three years old is the period when the greater number of 

 colts are brought to market. The bit then is put into its 

 mouth, and it is driven from the field. At a period of change 

 and of debility it is expected to display the greatest animation 

 and to learn strange things. "When its gums are inflamed ; 

 when the system is excited ; when the strength is absorbed by 

 an almost simultaneous appearance of twelve teeth, it is led 

 from the pasture and made, with its bleeding jaws, to masticate 

 sharp oats and fibrous hay. 



It has been eaid that a three-year-old colt cuts twelve teeth. 

 The engraving presents half the lower jaw of an animal of that 

 age. Those organs which are of recent appearance will be re- 

 cognized by their darker color, by their larger size, or by their 

 differing in shape from the other members. These new teeth 

 are a central incisor and the first two grinders. The horse has 

 two jaws and two sides to each jaw ; therefore the same number 

 being present within each side of both jaws, the teeth already 

 alluded to appear during the third year. However, even this 

 quantity rather understates than overrates the fact, for fre- 

 quently the tushes are cut during this period. In such a case 

 the colt acquires no less than sixteen teeth in twelve months. 



The four-year-old has to perfect as many teeth as are known 

 lo protrude into the mouth of the three-year-old. But the pre- 



