51. 



Dentition as indicative of tJie Age 



birth, owing to the growth of the jaw. In Fig, 53 (p. 53) the 

 state of the teeth at three months old is indicated. 



Excepting the natural growth of the jaws, in common with 

 other parts, no changes occur which will assist the examiner 

 in judging the age of the young pig until the age oi jive months 

 is reached. At this time there are evident signs of the cutting 

 of the pre-molars ; and the fourth molar, which is the first per- 

 manent tooth, is seen behind the temporary teeth. 



The illustration below (Fig. 54) shows the state of the 

 molars at the age of six months. 



As a large number of pigs are entered at Agricultural 

 Exhibitions at the age of between five and six months, it is 

 necessary to devote particular attention to the signs which are 

 exhibited by the teeth of the pig at this period ; and the in- 

 spector is particularly required to remember that the animal 



Fig. 5-i. — Molars of Pig at six iiwnths. 



which he is inspecting may be actually over the stated age at 

 the time of inspection, without, in consequence, being liable to 

 disqualification. This condition of things constantly occurs at 

 the Shows which are held after the date up to which the ages 

 are calculated ; it is obviously necessary to add the days or 

 weeks which have elapsed to the animal's certified age, at the 

 time of making the examination : for example, in cases where 

 ages are calculated to the 1st of June, while the Show takes 

 place early in July, a pig which is certified to be five months 

 three weeks and five days old in the class for animals not 

 exceeding six months, will be more than a month over the 

 certified age when it is seen by the inspector. 



Again, it must be noted that the jare-molars are not always 

 developed, and in the same litter one or two pigs will be found 

 occasionally in which this tooth is absent. The fourth molar 

 is, however, remarkably regular in its appearance, and may be 



