REVIEWS. 
341 
management and feeding of cattle, and to judicious and advantageous cross- 
ings, it is certain that, for some years past, many of our bovine races have 
experienced in their form, and especially in the precocity of development, 
remarkable ameliorations.’ 
“ * Whatever may be the causes of this remarkable aptitude in certain 
breeds to acquire their growth early, it is readily conceivable, that such 
precocious development cannot be confined to any particular organs. If 
every part has not equally participated in it, at least they are all affected 
more or less by it. Above all, the digestive system — that part called on to 
play an important part in the preparation of such aptitude, since all must 
essentially result from the nature and action of alimentation — the digestive 
system, I say, must be one of the first to undergo important modification : 
it ought to be the first to acquire the maximum of activity and power, in 
order that it might act with increased energy and effect on the solid and 
substantial aliments on which animals feed, not only in greater abundance, 
but at an age at which nature never intended them to be so highly fed. 
“ ‘^Physiologically, therefore, it may be argued, we must admit, that both 
the use of the teeth and dentition ought to be earlier in subjects weaned at 
so early an age and so soon fed with substantial food in abundance, since 
the quicker wear of the organs is a necessary consequence ; lienee their 
earlier replacement by teeth stronger and more resisting, is a natural con- 
dition of such alimentation.’ 
“These observations, in short, leave nothing to be said further on the 
influence of breeding and feeding on the development of the tissues, beyond 
the remark, that what science permitted to be assumed, practice has since 
amply verified.” 
On the insubstantiality and piracy of works, now growing- 
old, on the subject of “ teeth,” Mr. Brown in truth remarks, 
“ But unfortunately their assertions are not confirmecUby investigation ; 
and the entire absence of discrepancy has seemingly had the effect of pro- 
ducing a perfect confidence, though an erroneous one, while its presence 
would probably have excited attention and elicited the truth. Por illustra- 
tion of my meaning, let any one turn to the article on Teeth, in the ‘ Work on 
Cattle,’ published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 
and say if the remarks bear a natural stamp : let the farmer examine the 
woodcuts representing the mouth at birth, at eight, eleven, and fifteen 
months ; let him compare them with his own stock, and judge whether the 
artist drew from nature or his own imagination. Even the unpractical 
reader could not fail to be struck with the very fanciful description of the 
mysterious wasting of the temporary teeth, in pairs, commencing in front, 
and gradually extending ; not by the common process of wear, affecting the 
whole set, equally, but, as asserted, by some specially absorbing power, 
which would seem to take up its position without any object, and to pro- 
duce effects at once unnecessary and unnatural.” 
The “ description of the teeth” is followed by “ temporary 
dentition,” the latter part of the subject being illustrated by 
woodcuts, showing “the mouth at birth,” “calf six weeks 
old,” “heifer ten months old,” the mouth “at one year and 
seven months,” ditto at “one year and ten months,” ditto “at 
two years and seven months,” ditto “ at two years and nine 
