OF SELBORNE. 71 



are the smallest quadrupeds in this island. A full- 

 grown Mus domesticus medius weighs, I find, one ounce 

 lumping weight, which is more than six times as much 

 as the mouse above ; and measures from nose to rump 

 four inches and a quarter, and the same in its tail. 



We have had a very severe frost and deep snow this 

 month. My thermometer was one day fourteen degrees 

 and a half below the freezing point, within doors. The 

 tender evergreens were injured pretty much. It was 

 very providential that the air was still, arid the ground 

 well covered with snow, else vegetation in general must 

 have sufl'ered prodigiously. There is reason to believe 

 that some days were more severe than any since the 

 year 1739-40 8 . 



I am, &c. &c. 



LETTER XIV. 



TO THE SAME. 

 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, be- 

 sides 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 communi- 

 cation with the nose. Here seems to be an extraor- 

 dinary 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 



8 [A full account of the effects of this short but intense frost is given 

 in Letter LXI. to Daines Harrington.] 



