OF SELBORNE. 51 



Pt_^<^-2'l 1^( tf-y 



LETTER XIV. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIEE. 



SELBORNE, March 12, 1768. 



;F 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 pro- 

 bably analogous tot he 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 inconveniejicy. 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. This curious formation of the head may be of 

 singular service to beasts of chase, by affording them free 

 respiration ; and no doubt these additional nostrils are 

 thrown open when they are hard run. 1 



1 In answer to this account, Mr. Pennant sent me the following curi- 

 ous and pertinent reply. " I was much surprised to find in the antelope 

 something analogous to what you mention as so remarkable in deer. 

 This animal also has a long slit beneath each eye, which can be opened 

 and shut at pleasure. On holding an orange to one, the creature made 

 '' as much use of those orifices as of his nostrils, applying them to the 

 fruit, and seeming to smell it through them." Or. W. 



Both White and Pennant, however, were here misled by appearances, 

 for it has since been shown by anatomical investigation, that there is no 

 communication between those cavities and the nostrils, they being rather 

 the site of a peculiar secretion. Dr. Jacob, in a paper " On the infra- 

 orbital cavities in deer and antelopes," published in the " Edinburgh 



