Page 94 - My FlipBook

78 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
OF THE BICUSPIDES.
Immediately behind the Cuspidati, in each Jaw, stand two
Teeth, commonly called the first and second Grinders, but
which, for reasons hinted at above, I shall suppose to constitute
a particular class, and call them Bicuspides.
(j)
These (viz. the fourth and fifth Tooth from the symphysis of
the Jaw) resemble each other so nearly, that a description of
the first will serve for both. The first indeed is frequently the
smallest, and has rather the longest fang, having somewhat
more of the shape of the Cuspidatus than the second.
The body of this Tooth is flattened laterally, answering to the
flat side of the fang. It terminates in two points, viz. one
external and one internal. The external is the longest and
thickest ; so that on looking into the mouth from without, this
point only can be seen, and the Tooth has very much the
appearance of a Cuspidatus; especially the fh'st of these Teeth.
The internal point is the least, and indeed sometimes so very
small, that the Tooth has the greatest resemblance to a Cuspi-
datus in any view, (k) At the union of the points the Tooth is
thickest, and thence it loses in thickness, from side to side, to
the extremity of the fang ; so that the fang continues pretty

tion, and the structure of the mouth, would render this impossible by
the means inferred by Hunter, and the possession of so perfect an in-
strument as the hand, obviates the necessity of his ever employing any
other organ for the purpose of seizing or holding food of whatever
description.—T. Bell.
(J) [The premolars (bicuspides in human anatomy) are those teetli
whicli succeed the deciduous molars ( Vide Note b., p. 59). For the
sake of convenience of description, the principal variations in the form
and number of the premolar series, in the different orders of Mammalia,
will be noticed in connection with the comparative anatomy of the true
molars.]
(k) [From the greater size of the outer cusps, as compared with the
inner of both premolar teeth, the outer curve formed by the premolar
part of the dental arch is greater than the inner. In the upper
bicuspid, the outer and larger cusp is divided from the inner by a deep,
straight fissure or groove; in the lower bicuspid, this fissure describes