THE ANATOMY OF THE SHEEP 363 



for the droopy rump so often seen in Merino sheep. The 

 floor of the pelvic cavity is wider and shallower in compari- 

 son with the ox. The long bones of the hind legs, as in the 

 case of the front legs, are relatively slender for their 

 length. 



The teeth of the sheep are found in the back part of the 

 upper and lower jaws, and in the front part of the lower 

 jaw. The front part of the upper jaw consists of a tough 

 fibrous pad, against which the lower front teeth, the incisors, 

 press, when the sheep is grazing. When the lamb is born, 

 usually there is a pair of small teeth in the center of the front 

 of the lower jaw. Very shortly two more appear, in two 

 weeks after birth two more come in, and by the time the lamb 

 is three or four weeks old there are eight small milk or 

 deciduous teeth in position. Twelve small molar teeth also 

 appear. When a sheep has come into maturity, at two years, 

 it has thirty-two permanent teeth, consisting of twenty-four 

 molars, 12 in each jaw, and eight incisors. 



The age of a sheep may be determined up to a certain 

 extent, by means of the number and character of the teeth. 

 It is an easy matter to examine the teeth of the sheep, re- 

 quiring skill and quiet patience, rather than force. The 

 method is as follows: One hand should be placed over the 

 back of the head, thereby holding and steadying it, while 

 the end of the jaw of the sheep should rest in the upturned 

 palm of the other hand. Then the lips may be gently parted 

 with the thumb and forefinger, showing the incisor teeth. 

 If this is done quietly the sheep will struggle but little, but 

 if much force is exercised by finger and thumb, the sheep 

 will be likely to resist stoutly. When the lamb is about 

 twelve months old, two teeth appear in the front jaw and 

 force out the central pair of milk teeth. These are large, 

 prominent incisors, with broad crowns, and are known as 

 yearling teeth. The appearance of the permanent teeth is in- 

 fluenced more or less by breed inheritance and by the condi- 

 tions under which the animals have been kept as lambs. When 

 lambs are fed for show, and are kept in high condition, the 



