586 
HORSES* TEETH AND AGE. 
Pharmacopoeia, as an agent of this class. Even the older 
authors extol it, as Linnaeus, Withering, Geiger, and others 
It is a small indigenous annual, inhabiting dry pastures, and 
growing about six or eight inches in height. Its leaves 
are small and narrow, its stem slender and linear ; in July 
and August it produces white flowers, which are pendulous, 
and these furnish small globular seed-vessels; it has little or 
no odour, but an intensely bitter taste, and its active pro- 
perties reside either in extractive matter, or a resinous prin- 
ciple. 
Some of our readers may possibly be acquainted with this 
plant, and can furnish us with facts respecting its action on 
our domesticated animals, which will be of value in the ab- 
sence of any information in the works already referred to. 
HOUSES’ TEETH AND AGE. 
Mr. C. C. Grice, M.R.C.V.S., New York, U.S., in an 
article addressed to the editor of the New York Spirit of the 
l imes , says — i( In accordance with your request I am induced 
to write a few lines on this used-up subject, being well aware 
of the devoted interest you take in everything connected with 
the advancement of veterinary science. The subject has been 
thoroughly investigated by many scientific veterinarians in 
England and elsewhere, and by their researches they have 
favoured the world with much that is valuable and instruc- 
tive on the teeth of the horse in reference to its age. Their 
opinions and experience are entitled to our consideration by 
extending the bounds of veterinary science. 
u It is evident that the teeth, like every other organized sub- 
stance, from the time of birth to the adult period and old age, 
undergo change. The process of dentition is a tedious, 
lengthy, and painful one, subject to much variation. Nature 
is very capricious ; sometimes she is not equal to her wants, 
and at others is superfluous in her gifts. The incisor teeth 
appear earlier in some, and wear away faster in animals of 
the same age, where they are treated every way alike. One 
may commence teething and complete the process several 
months earlier than others born at the same date. Their 
temporary teeth are not always removed by the natural pro- 
cess at the proper time. I have seen the first teeth remain- 
ing wedged in with the permanent ones after five years old ; 
and from my own experience I am perfectly satisfied that the 
age is not correctly shown by the teeth at ail times. I have 
