NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



35 



Miis medius domesticus 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, 

 and the ground well covered with snow, else vegetation in general must 

 have suffered prodigiously. There is reason to believe that some days 

 were more severe than any since the year 1739-40.* 



I am, &c. &c. 



LETTEE XIV. 



TO THE SAME. 



SELBORNE, March 12th, 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 situa- 

 tion for a considerable time : 

 but, to obviate any incon- 

 veniency, they can open two 

 vents, one at the inner cor- 

 ner of each eye, having a 

 communication with the 

 nose.f Here seems to be 

 an extraordinary provision 

 of nature worthy our atten- 

 tion ; and which has not, 

 that I know of, been noticed 



by any naturalist. For it ORIFICE IN FALLOW-DEER. 



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 



* See Letters LXI., LXII. to Mr. Barrington. 



i 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 Woolmer Forest ; it 

 is one of those which requires explanation, especially 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 



D 2 



