OF THE TEETH. 39 



forms the fifth of the row. Between the second and thh'd 

 years, the first two milk grinders fall out, and are replaced 

 by the first two of the row of the permanent grinders ; and 

 between the third and fourth year, the third temporary 

 grinder is shed and the sixth permanent grinder cut, so 

 the colt has a full set of permanent molars when four 

 years old. 



To pursue our dental characteristics of the age, we must 

 now take up the permanent or horse nippers, and which 

 are those most important to the purposes of the breeder, 

 the seller, and the buyer. We must first observe, that, 

 although constitutional peculiarities will occasionally in- 

 terfere with uniform dentition, and although the evolution 

 of the teeth may be hastened or retarded by an early or a 

 late foaling;, yet, by common consent among us. May is 

 presumed to be the birth-month of every horse ; and, 

 notwithstanding these circumstances, this understanding 

 answers all the usual purposes of commerce. Far other- 

 wise is it with the veterinarian, who must look much 

 closer, as on his judgment very weighty decisions will often 

 depend. 



The appearance of the permanent set of nippers may, in 

 brevity, be thus stated : — The front, at from two years to 

 two years and a half. The middle, from three to three 

 years and a half. The corners, from four to four years and 

 a half; while the tushes may appear at any period after 

 the second or before the filth year. The colt, after the 

 attainment of five years, assumes the name of horse ; the 

 filly is also transformed into a mare at the like period : 

 both are now adults, and are, without hesitation, applied 

 to the purposes intended for them. 



The horse's tusks, tushes, or canine teeth, are four, one 

 on either side of either jaw. When the tush is at its full 

 growth, it assumes a slightly incurved cone-hke form, 

 having internally furrows, which arising from the base, 

 extend upwards and meet, leaving a triangular eminence 

 between. The tush is not unfrequently examined as a 

 criterion of the age ; and some persons place much de- 

 pendence on the presence or absence of its point, and 

 the degree of its curvature, as well as the distinctness 

 of its furrows : although these appearances are liable to 



