AGE OF THE HOG. 



The age of the hog is of much less importance than 

 that of any of the domestic animals, as this animal becomes an 

 article of commerce and is sent to the butcher the moment that 

 the ratio of its increase of \Veight (flesh and fat) ceases to be 

 greater than the proportionate cost of the food which is fur- 

 nished to it. Even for breeding purposes, the hog is rarely- 

 kept to an advanced age. The question of its age only becomes 

 important in exhibitions, where the judges must verify the age 

 in the class for which the animal is entered. 



DENTITION. 



Formula 



3 13 

 ' Temporary, .... ^ ' ^ ' ^ =28 



„ ^ 3.1.4.3 



Permanent, . . . =44 



' 3.1.4.3 



The hog has forty-four teeth, — six incisors in each jaw (12), 

 two tushes in each jaw (4), and seven molars (which are subdi- 

 vided into four premolars and three molars) in each arch of 

 both jaws (28). 



INCISORS. 



The pinchers and intermediate teeth of the upper jaw are 

 flattened from side to side, somewhat like those of the horse, 

 as they also liave a small dental cup ; while those of the lower 

 jaw are straight, rounded, and directed forward like the teeth of 

 a rodent, with their extremities converging toward the median 

 line. The corner teeth of both jaAvs are small, conical teeth, 

 separated from the intermediate on the one side and from the 

 tusks on the other. They have no cups, but often have three 

 small tubercles like the incisors of the dog. 

 (184) 



