76 THE AGE. 



plainly told, that the horse must have been at 

 least twelve years of age. But so wise are the 

 " knowing ones," that as they only look at the 

 mark themselves, they never dream of another 

 comparing that with the shape and length of the 

 tooth, and hence to more acute observers they 

 unwittingly display their roguery in all its 

 nakedness. 



The imposition may be discovered by the 

 irregular roughness on the sides of the cavity of 

 tlie teeth — the unnatural darkness of the mark 

 — the absence of a white ring of enamel that 

 always surrounds the natural cavity : and that, 

 compared with the length of the body, and the 

 shape of the surface, will render imposition ex- 

 ceedingly difficult. The bisliopped horse is 

 likewise loath to allow you to examine his 

 mouth, being fearful of a repetition of the pain 

 which he suflFered while undergoing this dis> 

 graceful operation. 



A bishopped horse is not of necessity an un- 

 sound one ; but he is returnable to the seller, 

 who makes himself liable to an action for having 

 used fradulent means to get a purchaser. See 

 note, p. 41. 



