breathing-places, besides the nostrils ; probably anal- 

 ogous to the piincta lachrynialia 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. 

 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 singu- 

 lar service to beasts of chase, by affording them free 

 respiration: and no doubt these additional nostrils 

 are thrown open when they are hard run.^ Mr. Ray 

 observed that at Malta the owners slit up the nostrils 

 of such asses as were hard worked: for they being 

 naturally strait or small, did not admit air sufficient 

 to serve them when they travelled, or laboured, in 

 that hot climate. And we know that grooms, and 

 gentlemen of the turf, think large nostrils necessary, 

 and a perfection in hunters and running horses. 



* 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 



56 



