260 THE HORSE. 



tially developed, and lying deeper than the milk teeth. As the 

 mouth grows, it becomes too large for its first set of teeth ; and the 

 roots of these being pressed upon by the growth of the permanent 

 set, their fangs are absorbed, and allow the new teeth to show 

 themselves, either in the places of the former, or by their sides, in 

 which case they are known by the name of icolf's teeth. This 

 change proceeds in the same order as the cutting of the milk 

 teeth, commencing with the first grinder, which is shed and re- 

 placed by a permanent tooth early in the third year, a fifth grinder 

 (permanent) making its appearance about the same time. Towards 

 the end of this year the sixth grinder shows itself, but grows very 

 slowly, and the central nippers above and below fall out, and are 

 replaced by permanent one^, which, as before remarked, are con- 

 siderably larger in size and somewhat difi"erent in form. 



At three years the mouth presents the appearance shown on 

 the preceding page, the development of the permanent teeth vary- 

 ing a good deal in different individuals. At three years and four 

 or six months, the next nipper all round falls out, and is replaced 

 by the permanent tooth. The corner nippers are much worn, and 

 the mark in them is nearly obliterated. About this time also the 

 second grinder is shed. 



At four years of age, the mouth should differ from that 



FlQ. 4. — MOUTH OF THE COLT AT FOUR AND A HALF TEARS. 



A. Anterior maxillary bone. of growth, with the edges of the 



1. 1. Central nippers, considerably worn cavity sharp, and the mark very 



down. plain. 



2. 2. The next pair, fully developed, with 4. 4. The tushes showing themselves through 



their edges slightly worn. the gum, but not full-grown. 



3. 3. Corner permanent nippers, in a state 



represented in fig. 3 in the following particulars: — The central 

 nippers begin to lose their sharp edges, and have grown consider 



