424 
Dentition as indicative of the Age 
ox. ]\Iolar teeth are designated by numbers, to indicate their 
position, and for the purpose of judging the age. These teeth 
in the sheep may be described as corresponding to the teeth of 
the ox in all general points, excepting in regard to their size. 
At birth, the arrangement of the incisor teeth of the lamb is 
peculiar, as shown in Fig. 34. 
Fig. 3i. — Incisors of Lamb at birth. 
Generally the whole temporary set of teeth may be recog- 
nised, but only in outline, as they are nearly covered with the 
gum. The central incisors are most advanced, and next in 
order come the laterals, leaving the middle and corner teeth 
considerably below them. Very often, the cutting edges of the 
front and third pairs of teeth are through the gum. All these 
peculiarities are seen in the illustration, which may be accepted 
as the representation of the ordinary appearance of the teeth of 
the lamb at birth. 
By the end of the fourth week all the temporary teeth are 
well up, eight incisors ; and three molars on each side of the 
upper and lower jaws. 
From the time of the perfect eruption of the temporary teeth 
at the age of one month, to the cutting of the first pair of 
broad teeth, central permanent incisors, at the age of one year to 
fifteen months, the only changes which will guide the expert to a 
correct opinion of the age are those which affect the molar teeth. 
At three months the first permanent molar, the fourth in 
situation, is cut, and is recognised by its recent appearance in 
comparison with the tooth immediately in front of it, the third 
temporary molar, which shows signs of wear. 
In the next illustration (Fig. 35), the appearance of the 
molars at the age of three months is shown. 
During a period of fire or six months from the cutting of the 
fourth molar there is nothing to guide the examiner except the 
growth of the teeth and of the jaw, which results in leaving 
a space behind the fourth molar. At the age of nine months 
this space is occupied by the fifth molar, as shown in the 
drawing (Fig. 3G). 
