( ^jp ) 
break off finaller Morfels from a larger Mafs ; others 
are made for the grinding thofe Morfels into much fmal- 
ler parts. The Teeth, which ftrve to break off Pieces 
of a convenient Magnitude from a larger Mafs, arc of 
two forts accommodated to the Nature of the Subftance 
which we eat. Thefe are the and ih^ Denies 
Caninu If the Subftance, which we have to eat, be 
not hard, but more eafily penetrated and divided, then 
the Incifores are capable of making an Impreflion upon 
it, and fix'd firmly enough in the Jaws to break off that 
Part which they take hold of. But if it be more folid, 
and not eafiiy penetrated, nor any Piece without Diffi* 
^culty to be feparated from that Body, whereof it is a 
Part, then we apply the Denies Canini, or Eye-Teeth 
to it, which are not fpread, nor have fuch an edge as 
the Inciforesy but are fliarp and pointed like an Awle, 
and Co do more readily penetrate a Subftance that 
is hard, and which the Incifores can fcarcely make any 
Impreflion upon. And as the Parts of a more folid Bo- 
dy are commonly with more DifEculty feparated, and 
there muft be a greater Strefs put upon thofe Teeth 
which pull it into pieces 5 fo thefe Teeth are much more 
firmly fixed in the Jaws then the Incifores, tho' they 
have but one fingle Root. Befides, the Pofition of all 
thefe Teeth is accommodated to their ufe, as being 
. planted oppofite to the Aperture of the Mouth, fb rhac 
they may be conveniently apply'd to the Subftance 
which we have to eat, before it is broken, and when it 
, is too large to be admitted within the Mouth. 
The Teeth which do by a Compreffion and Attrition 
reduce the little Morfels to fmalier parts, are from the 
manner in which they break the Ahment, called Denies 
Molares, becaufe they do, like fo many little Mill-ftones, 
grind she Food between them. And that they might 
be rendered fit for this purpcfe, they are made broad at 
that 
