XIV.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
45 
half below the freezing point, Avithin doors. The tender ever- 
greens were injured pretty much. It was very providential tliat 
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. 
Selborne, Jan. 22, 1768. 
LETTER XIV. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 
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 punda laclirymalia 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 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.^ Mr. Eay observed that at Malta the owners slit up the 
nostrils of such asses as were hard worked : for they being 
^ In answer to this account, Mr. Pennant sent me the following curious 
and pertinent reply : — " I was niucli surprised to find in the antelope some- 
thing 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 liis nostrils, applying them to the fruit, and seeming to 
smell it through them." — White. 
