40 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



weight, which is more than six times as much as the mouse 

 above ; and measures from nose to rump four inches and a quar- 

 ter, and the same in its tail. We have had a very severe frost 

 and deep snow this month. My thermometer was one day four- 

 teen degrees and an half below the freezing point, within doors. 

 The tender evergreens were injured pretty much. It was very 

 providential that the air was still, and the ground well covered 

 with snow, else vegetation in general must have suffered pro- 

 digiously. There is reason to believe that some days were more 

 severe than any since the year 1739-40. 



I am, &c. &c, 



LETTER XIV. To T. PENNANT, ESQ. 



DEAR SIR, Selborne, March 12, 1768. 



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 inconvenience, 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. 



tated), for the little animal could by no means thus support its weight. It is rather more 

 nsectirorous than the other species of the genus, flies and other insects being its favourite food, 

 which it captures with great adroitness, springing after them to a considerable distance ; and, in 



aptivity, it displays very strikingly the hoarding in 

 f animals, always biting out the germ or growing par 

 s also done by ants, and I believe all other animals th 

 tate, its ordinary drink is most probably the dew ; for, e 

 t certainly prefers to quench its thirst by sipping pend 

 leans its face, raising itself upon the hind feet, at wh 



inct, so common among the rodent order 

 of each grain before storfng it away, as 

 have similar propensities. In the wild 



en in confinement, like many small birds, 

 nt drops of water. After drinking it always 



h time its attitudes are often particularly 



raceful and elegant, being enabled to extend its body at a very considerable angle. It is aston- 

 shingly active, and the length of time it will continue turning the rotatory appendage in its 

 age, will surprise any person unaccustomed to behold it. It has but little of the disagreeable 



odour of the common mouse, and will live for several years in captivity, but, unless taken when 



quite young, it mostly continues shy and timorous, especially before strangers, even to its death. 



With the exception of colour, and having rather smaller ears, its general aspect is very much that 



of the common mouse. ED. 



