OF SELBOBNE. 
^1 
LETTER XIV. 
TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQUIBE, 
Selt^obne, March 12, 1768. 
F some curious gentleman would procure tlie 
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 lachrymaUa 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.^ 
^ 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 t© the 
fruit, and seeming to smell it through them." — G. 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 " Edinburgli 
