70 NATURAL HISTORY 



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. 



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 dis- 

 sected, 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, 



