54. AGE OF THE DOMESTIC ANIxMALS. 



About Six Months. — The intermediate teeth have pushed 

 fartlicr out; their posterior borders have come in contact with 

 each other. In the region of the corner teeth the mucous mem- 

 brane is puffy and congested ; sometimes even at this age the 

 anterior border of the corner teeth shows imder the soft 

 tissues. 



About Eight to Ten Months. — The anterior borders of the 

 corner teeth are seen through the^ mucous membrane. The in- 

 termediate teeth are entirely through tho gums to the level of, 

 their neck. The inferior incisive arch forms a regular half- 

 circle. (Figs. 50, 51, 52.) It is not important to be more 

 precise at this age, as various causes influence and produce 

 slight variations in the eruption of the teeth and in their leveling. 

 Some animals are strong and vigorous, while others are weak 

 and feeble ; some have been well fed, while others have been 

 nourished badly; and, again, we find individual peculiarities of 

 precocity and tardiness in the eruption of the teeth as in other 

 evidences of development. At the outset, the foal only uses 

 the milk of its mother; at this time there is little friction and 

 using of the teeth, except from their simple position and con- 

 tact with each other. As the foal gets older and commences to 

 use fibrous and resisting food the incisors wear away more rap- 

 idly ; there is always the most use in the pincher teeth. INIore- 

 over, during this first period of the life of the animal, while it 

 is still with its mother, other conditions allow us to judge with 

 sufficient accuracy as to the age of the animal, which is not 

 ready to be sold or removed until it lias been weaned. 



