

LETTER XIV. 



To the same. 



SELBORNE, March I2/^, 1768. 



EAR 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, besides 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 considerable 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. 1 Here seems to be an extraordinary 

 provision of nature worthy our attention ; and which has not, that I 



1 The glands to which White here alludes are not breathing-places, and have 

 no connection with respiration. They are secretive organs, found also in all deer 

 and antelopes, as well as in the common sheep : they exude an odorous body, 

 which is probably important as adding to the attractiveness of its possessor, like 

 musk and civet. It belongs to a group of special allurements the origin of which 

 is fully worked up by Darwin in "The Descent of Man." ED. 



