74 



the two middle teeth of the lower jaw, and also 

 of the upper jaw. From three years and a half 

 until four, he sheds the tw^o next in both jaws. 

 From four and a half until iive, he sheds the 

 two corner teeth of both jaWs ; and, at the same 

 time, the canine teeth or tushes make their ap- 

 pearance. He is then no longer called a colt. 

 At the upper surface or top of every tooth, 

 there is a small black cavity, resembling the eye 

 of a bean. This Cavity in the teeth of the lower 

 jaw furnishes the age from live years until 

 seven ; after which period it is usual to pro- 

 nounce the horse to be aged, and deprived of 

 any signs whereby his age can be ascertained. 

 Nevertheless, the age may be calculated until 

 twelve years by the same marks in the upper 

 jaw, which remain after those in the lower jaw 

 are worn out. This will be explained in its 

 proper place. At five years old, the black marks 

 or cavities in the two middle teeth of the lower 

 jaw are filled up, and nearly disappear ; for as 

 they are shed the first, so do they lose their 

 marks before any of the rest. At six years old, 

 the black marks of the two second teeth are 

 filled up in the same manner as the foregoing. 

 At seven years old until eight, the marks of the 

 corner teeth of the lower jaw fill up and dis- 

 appear. At the same time the tushes, which 

 antecedently to this period were concave in the 

 surface next to the tongue, alter their shape, 



