208 AGE OF ANIMALS. 



years the dark line with bony boundery appears in all the 

 teeth, and a broad circular mark appears within the central 

 pair : at eight years this mark appears in all the teeth : at 

 nine years a process of absorption and shrinkage, similar to 

 that which reduced the first teeth, begins to take place in 

 the central pair ; at ten it begins with the second pair ; at 

 eleven with the third pair, at twelve with the fourth pair. 

 The age of the animal, after this period is attained, is deter- 

 mined by the degree of shrinkage and wearing away of all 

 the teeth in the order of their appearance, until the lifteenth 

 year, when scarcely any teeth remain. 



To ascertain the age of sheep. 



The age of sheep may be known by the front teeth, which 

 are 8 in number, and appear the first year all of a size. In 

 the second year the two middle ones fall out and are supplant- 

 ed by two large ones. During the third year a small tooth 

 appears on each side. In the fourth year the large teeth are 

 six in number. In the fifth year all the front teeth are 

 large, and in the sixth year the whole begin to get worn. 



To tell the age of goats. 



The age of goats is ascertained by their teeth in the same 

 manner that of the sheep is, and by the annular rings on 

 their horns. 



