THE HORSE 



279 



and twenty-four molars, six on each side above and below. 

 Sometimes there is an additional premolar in the upper 

 jaw, but it is always small and is frequently wanting alto- 

 gether. Between the canines and the molars is a vacant 

 space called the ' bar,' in which fits the bit by which the 

 Horse is guided and controlled. 



A young horse or colt gets its second or permanent teeth 

 in a fixed order. The two new middle incisors in each jaw 

 appear when the animal is two and a half years old ; the 

 two next teeth a year later ; and the two outside ones at the 



A. Thirty days. 

 D. Eight years. 



DENTITION OF THE HORSE. 



B. Three years. 

 E. Fifteen years. 



C. Six years. 

 F. Thirty years. 



end of another twelve months. Up to five years the age of 

 the Horse can be fixed with almost perfect accuracy. After 

 that period only experts can judge, being guided by the 

 wearing of the ring of enamel round the edge of the crown 

 of the tooth. But when this ' mark,' as it is technically 

 termed, is worn down, the teeth afford no further definite 

 indications of age. 



It is doubtful if any real wild species is now in existence. 

 True, there are still herds of so-called wild Horses in Africa 

 and in Western and Central Asia ; but there appears little 

 reason to doubt that they are but the descendants of 



