Abstract
IN NATURE of June 9 last (p. 459), recently arrived here, is a communication from Mr. W. J. Lewis Abbott concerning the metallic-looking encrustation occurring on the teeth of sheep. In Proc. Linnean Soc. N.S. Wales (vol. 45, 1920, p. 324), abstracted in NATURE of April 21 last (p. 249) and reprinted in full In the Chemical News (vol. 122, p. 49), I give a detailed report, with analyses, of this and similar deposits on the teeth of a number of other animals, including man. In no case is the deposit of a metallic nature, but consists entirely of a salivary encrustation composed usually mainly of phosphate of lime with organic matter. The metallic appearance is an optical effect due to the refraction of light by the overlapping thin lammellæ of the deposit.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
STEEL, T. Gold-coloured Teeth of Sheep. Nature 108, 242 (1921). https://doi.org/10.1038/108242d0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/108242d0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.