15 



can be seen while the animal lives, is the crown of 

 the tooth. The fang, the end of which is called the 

 root, is that part of the tooth which is hidden from 

 view, and is inserted into the jaw. For the con- 

 venience of description, however, other portions of 

 the tooth have received distinct names, and the neck 

 and table are spoken of. The neck is that portion of 

 the tooth which is immediately surrounded by the 

 gum. The table is the upper surface, or the part 

 which touches the corresponding tooth of the oppo- 

 sing jaw when the mouth is closed. Such is the 

 division made, and it will hereafter be found to assist 

 the description of the various changes which the 

 teeth undergo. 



7. The teeth are situated in the maxillary bones, in 

 which certain osseous cups, like indentations or 

 holes, called the alveolar cavities, are developed for 

 their reception. Each tooth has its separate cavity, 

 and however close the crowns may appear, never- 

 theless each fang is divided from those before and 

 behind by bony plates. The alveolar cavity always 

 corresponds to the fang. As the fang alters in form, 

 or diminishes in length, so does the shape of the 



