GUINEA PIG.—Cavia A 
The colour of the Guinea Pig is very variable; but is generally composed of white, 
red, and black, in patches of different size and shape in each individual. The bare portions 
of the skin are flesh-coloured, and the eye is brown. The animal is of little direct use to 
mankind, as its flesh is held in very low estimation, and its hair is so slightly attached 
to the skin that its coat is useless to the furrier. There was formerly a prevalent idea 
that rats had an especial antipathy to the Guinea Pig, and would not haunt any place where 
one of these animals was kept. Rabbit owners were therefore in the habit of placing a 
Guinea Pig in the same apartment with the hutches, in hopes of scaring away the rats, 
which are the chief enemies of tame rabbits. As, however, in several instances the 
Guinea Pigs were eaten by the rats instead of driving them from the premises, the custom 
has gradually fallen into deserved disrepute. 
THE group of animals which is known by the name of Leporids, from the Latin word, 
lepus, a hare, is easily distinguishable from the other rodents by the peculiar dentition of 
the upper jaw. Usually there are only two incisor teeth in that jaw; but in the Leporidee 
there are four incisors, a pair of smaller teeth being placed immediately behind the usual 
upper incisors. 
The common HArE is known from the rabbit by the redder hue of its fur, the great 
proportionate length of its black-tipped ears, which are nearly an inch longer than the 
head ; by its very long hind legs, and its large and prominent eyes. When full-grown it is 
of considerable size, weighing on the average about eight or nine pounds, and sometimes 
attaining the weight of twelve or even thirteen pounds. In total length it rather exceeds 
two feet, the tail beg about three inches long. The colour of the common Hare is greyish- 
brown on the upper portions of the body, mixed with a dash of yellow; the abdomen is 
white, and the neck and breast are yellowish-white. The tail is black on the upper surface 
and white underneath, so that when the creature runs it exhibits the white tail at every 
leap. Sometimes the colour of the Hare deepens into black, and there are many examples 
of albino specimens of this animal. 
It is popularly supposed to be a timid animal, and has therefore received the specific 
title of “timidus ;” but it is really possessed of no small share of courage. According 
to a well-known English writer—not a sportsman—we malign the poor creature by 
