LETTER XIV 



TO THE SAME 



SELBORNE, March I2th, 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, 

 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. 2 Here seems to be an extraordinary provision 



1 The date of the actual letter was "March 14, 1768." [R. B. S.] 



2 Sir William Jardine writes : ' ' This short letter is devoted entirely to one 

 subject, to which White's attention was most probably directed by his visits to 

 the deer in Wolmer Forest ; it is one of those which requires explanation, especi- 

 ally in a popular work so much read as ' Selborne,' and the very error into 

 which White has fallen with his remarks will lead to the future explanation of a 

 structure which even at this time is not completely understood. The statement 

 in the letter, 'When deer are thirsty,' &c., is quite correct so far as 'they 

 plunge their noses,' but the nostril is then not used, and the whole will is exerted 

 in quenching a thirst at the time excessive. These other orifices are glandular 

 cavities, and so far as we know or can judge, have reference to the season of 

 rutting, and have no connexion whatever with respiration. They exist in greater 

 or less development in all the deer and antelopes, and also in the common sheep, 

 and a peculiar secretion may be seen to exude from it, having also a peculiar 

 odour. Some animals have glandular secretions in other parts of the body musk, 

 civet, zibet, &c. known as perfumes, and the peculiar utilities of these glands, 

 except in secreting a strong scent, is unknown." 



Professor Bell (vol. i. p. 44 note) says : " The view taken by White both of 

 the structure and use of these cavities or glands is entirely erroneous. They have 

 no relation to the function of respiration. See Owen's description of them in the 

 Proc. ZooL Soc. for 1836, and Mr. Bennett's observations in his edition of this 



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