OF SELBORNE. 61 
noses, like some horses, very deep under water 
while in the act of drinking, and continue them ‘in 
that situation for a considerable time ; but, to obvi- 
ate any inconvenience, they can open two vents, one 
at the inner corner of each eye, having a communi 
cation with the nose. Here seems to be an extra- 
ordinary provision of nature worthy our attention, 
and which has not, that I know of, been noticed by 
any naturalist. For it looks as if these creatures 
would not be suffocated, though both their mouths 
and nostrils were stopped. This curious formation 
of the head may be of singular service to beasts of 
chase, by affording them free respiration ; and no 
doubt these additional nostrils are thrown open 
when they are hard run.* Mr. Ray observed, that 
at Malta the owners slit up the nostrils of such asses 
as were hard worked; for they, being naturally 
strait or small, did not admit air sufficient to serve 
them when they travelled or laboured in that hot 
climate. And we know that grooms and gentle. 
men of the turf think large nostrils necessary, and 
a perfection, in hunters and running horses. 
Oppian, the Greek poet, by the following line, 
seems to have had some notion that stags have four 
spiracula : 
“ Terpadupor puves, meovpes tvoujor deavdoe. 
Quadrifide nares, quadruplices ad respirationem canales.” 
Opp., Cyn., lib. ii., 1, 181. 
* In answer to this account, Mr. Pennant sent me the follow 
ing curious and pertinent reply: “ 1 was much surprised to find 
in the antelope something analogous to what you mention as so 
remarkable in deer. This animal also has a long slit beneath 
each eye, which can be opened and shut at pleasure. On hold- 
ing an orange to one, the creature made as much use of these 
orifices as of his nostrils, applying them to the fruit, and seem- 
ing to smell it through them.” 
F 
