Engine Bay Relays...what do they do?

[tgittens]

So my 1969 didn't start this morning...no crank...nothing...all lights were working...radio...check. So I went into the engine looking around and found two relays in the fuse box III (i think it's called) that were completely corroded and rusted and figured it had something to do with my no start situation...but alas it was just a dead battery (Optima 6 months old BTW).

Now I'm wondering what those two relays are...any ideas? I pulled them and the car ran as usual. I figure one is the rear window defrost and the other is the start enrichment but why do I need the start enrichment if my car runs fine without it?

thanks