316 
On the Teeth of the Ox, Sheep, and Pig, 
appearance of youtbfulness which in reality did not belong to 
them. 
The tushes of pigs are sometimes cut off, and their stumps 
brought by a file to an unnatural sharpness, with a view 
to impose on persons who are not conversant with the 
ages of these animals. These things, however, notwithstand- 
ing the care with which they are often done, can be easily 
detected. 
There are few questions which have a more direct influence 
upon the success of agricultural exhibitions than that of a prize 
being obtained by an animal of proper age. The information 
which we have hitlierto possessed upon the subject of dentition 
has availed us but little in disputed cases. Practice here has not 
harmonised with theory. Several years since I became satisfied 
that nothing which had hecn written upon the dentition of either 
the ox or sheep in this country could be relied upon, and I 
resolved, by an extensive examination of animals of all breeds 
and under all circumstances, to ascertain what the facts were 
which belonged to the process. My position in the Royal 
Veterinary College first required this, for, being ever desirous of 
imparting -practical information, I felt the want of this knoAV- 
ledge Avhen speaking to the class year after year on dentition. 
Though my examinations had extended over a considerable time 
and were numerous, still from uncertainty with respect to the 
exact ages of the animals examined, 1 believed them insufficient 
to found correct conclusions upon. 
On the honour being conferred upon me by the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society of electing me as its " Veterinary Inspector," this 
subject assumed a more important aspect. Forthwith I deter- 
mined to examine all the animals brought together at the annual 
exhibitions and make records of the facts relating to their denti- 
tion. This was done to some extent at the Windsor meeting, 
but at Lewes and Gloucester it was fully carried out. Note-book 
in hand I went from stall to stall and I'ecorded the condition of 
the animal's teeth without reference at that time to its stated 
age. Subsequently the two things were compared and I have now^ 
before me the notes of upwards of 800 oxen of certified age, the 
condition of the teeth of each standing on the opposite page to that 
which gives the age, breed, and sex of the animal. Tiie data thus 
obtained are embodied in a tabular form for more easy reference, 
and will be given hereafter. 
Much might be said to show that many of the rules laid 
down in previous Avorks, and even in the work on Cattle by 
the late Mr. Youatt,* are rather the result of imagination 
* ' Cattle, their Breeds, Management, and Diseases' p. 318 et seq. 
