THE HORSE 351 



"Evidently not, for if they were, the middle in- 

 cisors would show the most wear, as they come first ; 

 but exactly the opposite is the case. Since they are 

 quite new and those on each side are already worn, 

 they must belong to the second cutting. ' ' 



"That is quite right. Now find the animal's 

 age." 



"Let me think a moment. I have it. When the 

 horse is between two and a half and three years old 

 the shedding of 

 the milk teeth be- 

 gins. The first to 

 be replaced are 

 the central inci- 

 sors. The jaw you 



Show me haS these Teeth of a Four- Year Old Horse 



teeth of the second set quite new. Consequently the 

 horse is about three years old." 



"The answer leaves nothing to be desired: the 

 horse is in fact three years old. Now, Louis, what 

 have you to say about this jaw that I next show 

 you?" 



"Here, too, the teeth are of different sets, since 

 the central incisors and those next to them are less 

 worn than the others. Moreover, the second inci- 

 sors are newer than the middle ones, as can be seen 

 from their sharper edges. These second incisors 

 are second teeth; so are the central incisors, which 

 are a little worn because they appeared the preced- 

 ing year. The third incisors, which show the most 

 wear of all, are milk teeth." 



