149 



even death. By the casting or shedding of the crowns of the tem- 

 porary, and their replacement by the permanent teeth, together with 

 certain marks, the age of an animal, for a time, is indicated. Looking 

 at Plates XXV and XXVII, \t will be noticed that at birth (i) the foal 

 generally has two central incisors, and three pre-molars on each side, 

 above and below (f f , sixteen in all), and all of them are temporary. 

 At six to eight weeks old (2) it gets two lateral temporary incisors, 

 above and below ; and from eight to ten months (3) the corner incisors. 

 From twelve months to two years of age, small ponies are sometimes 

 passed off as five-year-olds, more particularly coal-pit ponies, the marks 

 on the crowns being similar. This deception can, however, be detected 

 by looking at the front aspect of the teeth, when it will be seen that the 

 temporary teeth are small,' and white, with a plain, smooth surface, 

 while the permanent teeth are much larger and broader, and of a 

 creamy tinge, with a well-defined deep dark groove down the front of 

 each tooth. At one year (4) the fourth tooth or first molar (first 

 pevmanent) appears, and from two to two and-a-half years (5) the fifth 

 tooth or second molar should be into wear ; and it is to this period of 

 the animal's life I shall give most attention. In many cases, in cross- 

 bred cart-horses, the fifth molar is not visible until the animal is from 

 two-and-a half to three years old. From two yearsand nine months 

 till three years old (6) the horse commences to cast the two central 

 incisors, also the first and second pre-molars, above and below, and 

 these are replaced by permanent teeth. By this it will be seen that 

 in some cases, and it is a matter of great importance, the horse, rising 

 three years old, not only casts twelve temporar}', but gets sixteen 

 permanent teeth, viz., four central incisors, two above and two below (f) ; 

 eight first and second pre-molars, two on each side, above and below 

 (A) ; also the fifth tooth or second molar, one on each side, above and 

 below (f). 



347. About this time in its dentiton the animal is usually brought in 

 from grass, and put to work. What with the dental irritation going 

 on, and the new mode of living, is there any wonder that certain horses 

 of peculiar nervous temperament suffer, and occasionally to a great 

 extent ? If we take into consideration the disorder and fever set up 



