OK folks, here's one for you: just what are the 8 holes above the heater bubble in a Mk II Escort for (see photo)?  6 are in the cowl grille itself, and there is one more on each side.  I'm pretty sure I know, but I want to see whether I have early onset Alzheimers or not by trying to confirm it independently.
 
Thanks.
 

my guess is they are for a rubber seal of some kind

Dunno - my '80 model RS does not have them