EVOLUTION OF THE BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY 243 



abouts. The permanent central incisors appear from eigh- 

 teen to twenty months, the first intermediates at twenty-four 

 to thirty months, the second intermediates at thirty-six 

 to forty-two months, and the corners from forty-five to 

 fifty-four months. These are designated as the one, two, 

 three, and four-year stages. 



At five years the central incisors have begun to wear and 

 at six years they are worn level. At this stage both pairs 

 of the intermediates are partly worn and the corners have 

 commenced to wear. At seven years the first pair of inter- 

 mediates is worn completely and the second pair is worn 

 considerably. When the eight-year stage is reached the 

 tables of all the teeth are worn level and a concavity appears 

 in the central incisors. At nine years this concavity appears 

 in the first intermediates and at ten years in the second 

 intermediates. 



From this stage the age may be determined by the general 

 condition of the animal, by the general alterations which 

 occur in the teeth, or by the horns as described in the fol- 

 lowing paragraph : 



Indication of Age by Horns. The age of cattle possessing 

 horns may be determined by the rings which appear at the 

 base. The first ring appears at about three years of age. 

 Each year a new ring develops, thus indicating the age by 

 adding two to the number of rings which are in evidence. 

 One ring, for example, indicates a three-year-old and two 

 rings a four-year-old animal. 



Structural Form and Examination. The following attri- 

 butes of form are of special significance in determining the 

 qualifications of beef-producing animals. These apply 

 with equal significance to both breeding and fat animals, 

 with the exception of the sex characteristics, which should 

 be developed in the former. 



HEAD. The head of the beef animal should be broad, 

 deep, and have length in proportion, this being a good 

 indication of thriftiness and feeding capacity. There should 

 be good width between the eyes, thus showing intelligence. 

 The angle of the jaw should be wide to allow free respira- 

 tory action. The head should be neat, trim, and the general 



