THE NEW POCKET FARRIER. 19 



This method I discovered, by making many anatom- 

 ical observations on the skulls of dead horses and re- 

 peated dissections. In order, therefore, to elucidate the 

 above, I must in the first place beg leave to remark ; that 

 the submaxillary bone, or the lower javi^ bone of all 

 young horses, about four or five years of age, immedi- 

 ately above the bifurcation, is invariably thick and very 

 round at the bottom; the cavity of said bone being very 

 small, contains a good deal of marrow, and generally 

 continues in this state until the animal arrives at that 

 period which is generally termed an " aged horse," or 

 until the animal acquires his full size in height or thick- 

 ness ; or according to sporting language, is completely 

 furnished, with very little variation. But after this 

 period, the cavity as aforesaid becomes larger, and more 

 marrow is contained therein. Hence the submaxillary 

 bone becomes thinner and sharper a little above the bi- 

 furcation. 



This indelible mark may always be observed in a 

 small degree in horses above eight years of age ; but at 

 nine years old it is still more perceptible. It continues 

 growing a little thinner and sharper at the bottom until 

 twelve years of age. From thence until fifteen, it is 

 still thinner, and about as sharp as the back of a case 

 knife near the handle. From this period until the ages 

 18, 19, 20, and upwards, it is exceedingly so ; and is as 

 sharp, in many subjects, as the dull edge of that instru- 

 ment. ^ 



RULES. 



1st. Put your three fingers about half an inch or an 

 inch immediately above the bifurcation, and grasp the 

 submaxillary bone, or the lower jaw bone. If it is thick 

 at the sides, and very round indeed at the bottom, the 

 animal is most certainly under nine years of age. 



