86 

 to be " three off," or " rising four." Here was a 

 difference of opinion to the extent of a whole year ; 

 and of course the pupil was sneered at for his igno- 

 rance and presumption. Mr. Robb, however, had 

 reasons for his conviction ; he would not give up the 

 point, but wrote to the breeder, and obtained a reply 

 which showed the teachers had yet to learn. Being 

 an acute observer, Mr. Robb had attended to the 

 wear of the tables; had seen the infundibula had 

 become defined, and the surrounding surface broad. 

 He had also remarked the gums, and seen that those 

 of the lower jaw were slightly red ; and, taking 

 these tokens in conjunction with the appearance of 

 the colt, arrived at a conclusion which the result 

 proved to be correct, and which did not show the 

 mouth deficient in its symbols. Mr. Goodwin, 

 veterinary surgeon to the Queen, has casts of mouths 

 taken from horses of known ages. No gentleman 

 connected with the veterinary profession, perhaps, 

 has enjoyed such peculiar opportunities as Mr. 

 Goodwin, and no one could be characterized by a 

 greater inclination to take advantage of them. With 

 a natural talent for observation, and an innate love 

 for scientific inquiry, combined with enthusiasm in 



