OF THE TEETH, 41 



portion, so it is readily explained why the figures of senile 

 teetli are so unlike those of more early periods. The fangs, 

 as age advances, are actually protruded into the mouth, 

 and the tables, or biting or nipping surfaces of these, for 

 the most part, are nearly or quite square, while the teeth 

 themselves, at this advanced period, are projected forward 

 or presented almost horizontally from the gums. 



It will also strike the reflecting mind, that attention to 

 the later character will become even more important than 

 om* yielding to old but erroneous impressions of age, as it 

 stands in the horseman's vocabulary ; as this gives place to 

 conviction, analogy, and experience, that which the jockey 

 calls age, as connected with the natural powers and dura- 

 tion of the animal, is removed by at least twelve years ; for 

 premature age in the generality of horses is brought on by 

 too hard and too early work. 



Impressed with a conviction resulting from experience, 

 that what is called age in the mouth is often combined with 

 youth in the limbs, the practical judge, instead of refusing 

 such an offer when it occurs, hails it as a boon ; for 

 the reputed age has produced only the best effects, by 

 condensing the solid parts of the frame, and rendering them 

 capable of continued exertion. Such age is usually accom- 

 panied by a steadiness of temper and disposition that 

 teaches the horse to employ his powers judiciously, be- 

 cause the animal is certain to have been gently used in 

 his youth. 



The truly senile horse will be seen with eyes sunken, 

 sometimes dim, and eye-pits hollow ; the lips will be thin 

 and pendulous, the under or posterior often extremely so. 

 The anus, not wedged up by interstitial matter as hereto- 

 fore, and not sufficiently retracted by its muscles, projects 

 much. The grey horse becomes white, and the darker 

 colours become intermixed with grey, particularly about 

 the head. The bony processes in every part of the body 

 stare out, and give a rigidity of appearance which well 

 accords with the actual state of the body. So much greater 

 is the absorption of parts now than their increase, that even 

 the diseased deposits of more youthful times, as windgalls 

 and bony exostoses, are lessened, or their outward indica- 

 tions disappear altogether. The mouth also will present 



