OF SELBORNE 37 



suffered prodigiously. There is reason to believe that 

 some days were more severe than any since the year 

 1739-40. 



I am, etc. etc. 



LETTER XIV 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIRE 



Selborne, March 12, 1768. 



DEAR SIR, 



IF some curious gentleman would procure the head of a 

 fallow-deer, and have it dissected, he would find it furnished 

 with two spiracula, or breathing-places, beside the nostrils ; 

 probably analogous to the puncta lachrymalia in the human 

 head. When deer are thirsty they plunge their noses, like 

 some horses, very deep under water, while in the act of 

 drinking, and continue them in that situation for a consider- 

 able time : but, to obviate any inconveniency, they can 

 open two vents, one at the inner corner of each eye, having 

 a communication with the nose. Here seems to be an 

 extraordinary 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. 1 Mr. Ray observed 

 that, at Malta, the owners slit up the nostrils of such asses 



1 In answer to this account, Mr. Pennant sent me the following 

 curious and pertinent reply : " I was much surprised to find in the 

 antelope something analogous to what you mention as so remarkable in 

 deer. This animal has a long slit beneath each eye, which can be opened 

 and shut at pleasure. On holding an orange to one, the creature made 

 as much use of those orifices as of his nostrils, applying them to the fruit, 

 and seeming to smell it through them." 



