NATURAL HISTORY. 181 



Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye." SHAKSPEKB. 



subsistence. The velvety down which covers the antlers prevents 

 the snow from adhering to them. 



534. Why is the neck of the elk so short, and the head 30 

 near to the trunk ? 



Because the weight of the elk's horns is enormous, and if the 

 head and horns were placed at the extremity of an elongated neck, 

 they would inevitably overbalance the body. 



535. Why are stags said to shed tears ? 



Such allusions are very frequent with the poets. Shakspere 



says : 



"the big round tears 



Coursed one another down his innocent nose 

 In piteous chase." 



The eyes of the stag, and nearly all the deer tribe, display a 

 peculiarly weeping aspect. It depends on a remarkable glandular 

 sinus, or tear-pit, situate at the inner angle of each eye, close to 

 the nose, without having any communication with the eyes, cr 

 without what are termed the lachrymal passages. 



536. Why are deer furnished with supplementary breathing 

 places in addition to the nostrils? 



This would appear to be an extraordinary provision ot nature, 

 providing for a beast of the chase a freer respiration, by the 

 opening of additional nostrils when hard run. 



Another advantage is derived from this peculiar apparatus 

 When deer are thirsty, they plunge their noses very deep undei 

 water while in the act of drinking, and continue them in that 

 situation for a considerable time ; but to obviate any inconvenience 

 or approach to suffocation by both the mouth and the nostrils 

 being stopped at the same time, these two vents are taken 

 ad vantage of, and by being opened, afford the necessary supply 

 of air. 



