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its place, so that the
anteriorly, the new tooth passes into
root of the new tooth is contained in a socket formed partly
of that in which it was before, and partly of the socket which
belonged to the temporary tooth. But if contrary to what
commonly happens, the tooth which ought to be shed, is not
shed, then the permanent tooth appears behind it, and re-
mains similar to it fixed in its own appropriate socket."*
Had Albinus been acquainted with the use of the small
holes leading to the permanent teeth, he would immediately
have discovered what usually takes place.
I have already shewn that the temporary and permanent
teeth were about the fourth year separated from each other
by a bony partition, each root being at this period contained
in a distinct socket. Now according as the permanent teeth
rise, they have a natural tendency to come more and more
to the anterior part of the jaw ; whilst in consequence of
the pressing forward of the rising tooth, a change is induced
in the mode of action of the surrounding vessels, such, that
that portion of the bony partition immediately pressed upon,
as well as the root of the temporary tooth, with the adjacent
parts, become fit to be absorbed, and actually are absorbed.
In some cases part of the roots of the neighbouring tem-
porary teeth are absorbed, particularly where the jaw does
not increase as rapidly as the permanent teeth. So that in
proportion as this absorption takes place, the permanent
tooth passes partly into the socket of the temporary tooth
proper to it, and partly into the sockets of the neighbouring
temporary teeth. And as Albinus justly remarks, a socket
is formed for the reception of the root of the new tooth, in
part by its own appropriate socket, and in part by the tem-
porary socket of the tooth with which it was originally con-

* Acad. Aonat. lib. II. pages 14 and 15.