34 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jaw., 1899. 
DENTITION OF CATTLE. 
TELLING THE AGE BY THE TEETH. 
In has been stated that no accurate opinion of the age of a calf can be formed 
until it is six months old; at that time the fourth molars (the back teeth which 
are used for grinding) are well developed. Between six and twelve months 
there are no important dental changes; the incisor (front or cutting teeth) 
become worn, and more space is left between them, but it is not possible to 
assert from the state of the incisor teeth whether an animal is under or over 
the age of one year. At one year a builock has eight incisors, and shortly 
afterwards the fifth molar appears. At the age of twenty or twenty-one 
months the two central incisors become loose, and their successors, the first 
two broad teeth, may begin to show themselves. 
At one year and seven months, in very forward animals, the first pair of 
permanent or broad incisors are cut, but they are never level with the other | 
incisors before one year and ten months, and their perfect development is 
indicative of the age of two years, at which time the sixth and last permanent 
molars are in position, and any error of opinion as to age, which might arise 
from the permanent (or early) cutting of the central permanent incisors, may 
be corrected by reference to the state of the molars. When the animal is a 
month or two over two years, the first and second (counting from the front) 
permanent molars take the places of the permanent teeth. rom two years 
and three months or two years and six months, the second pair of broad, front, 
or incisor teeth, the middle permanent incisors, occupy the place of the corres- 
ponding temporary teeth in all cultivated breeds. Instances of late dentition 
present themselves from time to time, in which the middle permanent 
incisors are not cut till the animal is approaching three years old. There is 
consequently a possible variation of six months in the time of the appearance 
of these teeth. It must be understood, in reference to the appearance of 
the second pair of broad teeth, that an expert, looking at a mouth which has 
four permanent incisors, will conclude that the animal is two years and a-half 
old; but if he is required to certify that the age is under or above that period, 
he must proceed to inspect the molar teeth, and take into account the animal’s 
pedigree, its sex, and its general condition of development. If the animal in 
question is a bull, and has been forced to early maturity, it may be expected 
that the second pair of permanent incisors will be cut at two years and four 
months; and if either of the anterior (foremost) temporary molars remain in 
their places, the conclusion that the animal is under two years and a-half will 
be strengthened. Shortly after the first and second molars are cut, the third 
makes its appearance; occasionally it appears before the others, and the animal 
at the age of three years will have three anterior molars nearly level with the 
other teeth, but showing no signs of wear. The eruption of the third pair of 
permanent incisors may occur at any time between two years and six months 
and three years of age. 
The anterior molars, however, afford more reliable evidence of the age 
between two and a-half and three years old than is furnished by the incisors. 
At three years of age the average condition of the teeth in cultivated breeds is 
—the. fourth pair, or the corner permanent incisors, are well up, but they vary 
considerably. In well-bred cattle they take the place of the temporary. teeth 
soon after the completion of the third year. In well-bred bulls they are often 
present at two years and ten months, while in some instances they are not cut 
till the animal is three years and nine months. Very little reliance indeed can 
be placed on the corner incisors, and the examiner is compelled to refer to the 
molar teeth to correct his opinion. With the exception of the corner per- 
manent incisors, the fourth pair of broad teeth, the permanent dentition of the 
ox is completed, and after this period the changes in the form of the teeth from 
effects of attrition will assist the examiner in forming an opinion of the age. 
—Farmer and Stockbreeder. 
