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the natural teeth consists principally in their colour, by which
they perfectly join themselves to those living teeth with
which they are aggregated, when nevertheless, they have
been well selected." Page, 56. This frank declaration of
Mr. Audibran, I believe will be reciprocated by every per-
son, who has ever noticed porcelain teeth. Their aspect is
perfectly dead. There is a certain animation in the aspect
and appearance of the living tooth, which is not seen in any
dead substance used to replace them. A dead natural tooth
when artificially inserted possesses, especially if a good tooth,
a considerable of this animation. Animal teeth in conse-
quence of their beautiful enamel, possess a considerable of
it, but the porcelain teeth when in the mouth, have not the
least animation in their aspect, but appear perfectly dull and
dead. I have never seen any porcelain teeth, which pos-
sessed to any great extent a natural colour and aspect like
the natural teeth, or as much so as the animal teeth. Mr.
Audibran dwells with considerable emphasis upon the im-
penetrability of these teeth, and their not taking up any of
the juices of the mouth, food, &c. This is indeed a very
valuable property, and one which gives a principal value to
these teeth. We have before noticed that no artificial tooth
whatever, should be inserted, until the mouth and all the
other teeth, if any remain, had been rendered perfectly
healthy. Because if inserted in a diseased mouth, or when
any of the teeth are diseased, it aggravates all the other com-
plaints. If this rule is adopted, (and any thing short of it is
incompatable to every principle of correct practice,) then we
may insert the animal and natural teeth in the mouth so as to
be very useful, comfortable, natural and agreeable to the
patient ; and if strict cleanliness is observed, they will remain
clean and without contracting any bad smell for many years,
and also retain their colour and good appearance. When we