40 NATURAL HISTORY 
an half below the freezing point, within doors. The tender ever- 
greens were Injured pretty much. It was very providential that 
the air was ftill, and the ground well covered with fnow, elle 
vegetation in general muft have fuffered prodigioufly. There is 
reafon to believe that fome days were more fevere than any lince 
the year 1739-40. 
I am, &c. Sec. 
LETTER XIV. 
TO THE SAME. 
DEAR SIR, Selborne, March 12, 1768. 
If fome curious gentleman would procure the head of a fallow- 
deer, and have it dilTeded, he would find it furnifhed with two 
fpiracula, or breathing-places, befides the noftrils; probably 
analogous to the punSla lachrymalia in the human head. When 
deer are thirfty they plunge their nofes, like fome horfes, very 
deep under water, while in the ad of drinking, and continue them 
in that fituation for a confiderable time : but, to obviate any inc'on- 
veniency, they can open two vents, one at the inner corner of 
each eye, having a communication with the nofe. Here feems to 
be an extraordinary provifion of nature worthy our attention ; 
and which has not, that I know of, been noticed by any naturalift. 
For it looks as if thefe creatures would not be fuffocated, though 
both their mouths and noftrils were flopped. This curious form- 
ation of the head may be of fingular fervice to beafts of chafe^ by 
affording 
