Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

190 CATTLE.
At a month, the full number of the incisors will have appeared.
These are the temporary or milk teeth. The enamel covers the
whole crown of the tooth, but not entering into its composition, and
the edge is exceedingly sharp. The only indication of increasing age
will be the wearing down of these sharp edges, and the appearance
of the bony substance of the tooth beneath. The two corner teeth
will be scarcely up before the centre teeth will be a little worn. At
two months, the edge of the four central teeth will be evidently
worn ; yet as the wearing is not across the top of the tooth, but a
veiy little out of the line of its inner surface, the edge will remain
nearly or quite as sharp as before. At three months, the six central
teeth, and at four months the whole set, will be worn, and the central
ones most of all ; but after the second or third month, the edge
of the tooth will begin to wear down, and there will be more of a
flat surface, with a broad line in the centre.
About this time a new change will begin, but very slowly. The
central teeth will not only be worn down on their edges, but the
whole of the tooth will diminish, and a kind of absorption will commence.
There will be little, but' increasing space between them.
The face of the tooth will likewise be altered ; the inner edge will be
worn down more than the outer, and the mark will change from the
appearance of a broad line to a triangular shape. The commencement
of this alternation of form and diminution of size may be about the
fourth month, and our cut gives a representation of the two central
incisors at eight months. The central teeth are now not above half
the size of the next pair, and those are evidently lessened.
SIX TO ETGHT MONTHS.
At ten months, the.
TEN MONTHS.
of diminution will have extended