418 
Dentition as indicative of the Age 
Shortly after one year the fifth molar begins to make its 
appearance, and at fifteen months it is well up. The appear- 
ance which the fifth molar presents at this age is very much 
like that of the fourth molar at the age of six months. The 
new tooth is in close contact with the angle of the jaw, and the 
gum covers the extreme posterior part of its surface. These 
appearances are shown in the illustration (Fig. 27). 
Fig. 27. — Molars of Steer at fifteen months. 
Xo change occurs in the incisors, excepting that which is 
caused by the wear of the teeth and the growth of the jaw, until 
the age of one vear and eight or nine months, at which time 
the two central teeth are loose and the first broad teeth some- 
times begin to project through the gum. In very forward 
animals the central permanent incisors are cut at the age of a 
vear and seven months, but they are never level with the other 
incisors before one 3"ear and ten months, and their perfect 
development is indicatiA e of the age of two years. 
The next illustration. Fig. 28, was taken from a Shorthorn 
heifer at the age of one year and ten months, and may be 
accepted as indicative of the general appearance of the incisors 
at that age. 
While the first pair of permanent incisors are advancing to 
take the place of the temporary teeth, the sixth and last per- 
manent molars push their way through the gum, and at the 
age of two vears are in position. Any error of opinion as to 
the age Mhich might arise from the premature cutting of the 
central permanent incisors may be corrected by reference to 
the state of the molars. 
