t)2S TI^^ MORSE. 



which have now considerably grown, but not attained tlieir per- 

 fect height. This cut will then represent the appearance of the 

 mouth. Fig. 2. 



" At two months, the centre nippers will have reached their 

 natural level, and between the second and third month the sec- 

 ond pair will have overtaken them. They will then begin to 

 wear a little, and the outer edge, which was at first somewhat 

 raised and sharp, is brought to a level with the inner edge, and 

 so the mouth continues until some time between the sixth and 

 ninth month, when another nipper begins to aj^pear on each 

 side of the two first, making six above and below, and complet- 

 ing the colt's mouth ; after which the only observable difi'erence, 

 Fig. 2. until between the second and third year, is 



in the wear and tear of these teeth. 



"These teeth are covered with a polished 

 and exceediugly hard enamel ; indeed it is 

 so hard that it almost bids defiance to the 

 action of a file. It spreads over that por- 

 tion of the tooth wliicii appears above the 

 gum, and not only so, but as they are to be 

 so much employed in nipping the grass, and 

 in gathering up the animal's food, and in 

 such employment even this hard substance must be gradually 

 worn away, a portion of it, as it passes over the upper surface 

 of the teeth, is bent inward, and sunk into the body of the teeth, 

 and forms a little pit in them. The inside and bottom of this 

 pit being blackened by the food, constitute the mark of the 

 teeth, by the gradual disappearance of which, in consequence of 

 the wearing down of the teeth, we are enabled for several years 

 to judge of the age of the animal. 



"The colt's nipping teeth are rounded in front, somewhat 

 hollow toward the mouth, and present at first a cutting surface, 

 with the outer edge rising in a slanting direction above the inner 

 edge. This, however, soon begins to wear down, until both sur- 

 faces are level, and the mark, which was originally long and 

 narrow, becomes shorter, and wider and fainter. At six months 

 the four nippers are beginning to wear to a level. 



" The annexed cut will convey some idea of the appearance 

 of the teeth at twelve months. The four middle teeth are al- 



