USTTEODUCTION". 



The following matter, which is designed to give at 

 least a synopsis of the fundamental principles of dental 

 science, is compiled from the works of the best known 

 odontologists. It is somewliat heterogeneous in its 

 make-up, and is, moreover, considering that it is an 

 Introduction to a special work, anomalous, being 

 rather an adjunct to than an ex2:>lanation of the work 

 itself. Its lack of coherency and the few repetitions, 

 the inevitable concomitants of all compilations, are 

 offset by the interest of its historical records and the 

 scope and clearness of its thoughts and deductions. 

 While it does not treat specially of horses' teeth, it is 

 just as applicable to them as to human teeth, or to 

 those of any of the other animals mentioned. It is 

 believed that the student of dental science will find 

 the matter as useful as it is interesting:. 



In his work entitled "The Anatomy of Vertebrates" 

 (vol. i, pp. 357-8), Prof. Richard Owen says: 



"A tooth is a hard body attached to the mouth or 

 beginning of the alimentary canal, partially exposed, 

 when developed. Calcified teeth are peculiar to the 

 vertebrates, and may be defined as bodies primarily, if 

 not permanently, distinct from the skeleton, consisting 



