TEETH. 151 



%. 

 By the completion of the fourth year, the colt has certainly gained 

 twelve teeth ; that is, by this time there should exist, on each side of 

 both jaws, one new lateral incisor and two fi'esh molars, being the third 

 and the sixth in position. The appearance of the mouth now announces 

 the approach of maturity ; but the inferior margin of the lower bone 

 still feels more full and rounded than is altogether consistent with the 

 perfect consolidation of an osseous structure. We cannot take cogni- 

 zance of the swollen and enlarged condition of the jaw, without being 

 assured that some important process is going forward within its interior. 

 It is among the firmest physiological truths, that nature is a strict 

 economist and never does anything without intention ; that every en- 

 largement or every depression — however insignificant it may appear 

 to human eyes — is a permanent provision for some appointed purpose, 

 and has its allotted use in the animal system. Accordingly, it is dis- 

 covered the sign we just remarked upon indicates the process of denti- 

 tion is not finished by the termination of the fourth year. There are 

 more teeth to be cut, as well as the fangs of those already in the mouth 

 to be made perfect. This must be a laborious effort. Nature always 

 toils slowly in proportion to the density of her work ; when we regard 

 the compact structure of a horse's tooth, we may conjecture the quan- 

 tity of blood, the amount of inflammation, and the intensity of suffering 

 which are necessary for its perfection. 



ONE LOWER LATERAL INCISOR BEING THROUGH THE GUM DECLARES A FOUR-TEAR OLD. 



Still a gentleman may purchase a colt with one lower lateral incisor 

 barely through the gum. Nevertheless, such a condition of mouth must 

 be accepted as announcing the animal to be four years old. That fact is 

 not to be disputed, for have not the Jockey Club proclaimed it ? Being 

 four years old, most people view the colt as needing no indulgence. The 

 creature, at this age, is generally urged to the extent of its power. 

 Would mortal intellect think on that which it beholds, and endeavor to 

 understand the evidence which is presented to its sight, how much that 

 is now carelessly passed by unnoticed would be read as a plea for for- 



