CHAPTER I 

 CAVIES. 



ALTHOUGH there are many men and women in the 

 ranks of the Cavy Fancy, their number is far less than 

 those engaged in rabbit keeping. There seem to be 

 more inducements to keep rabbits than cavies, and the 

 uses to which the former can be put are more remunera- 

 tive than is the case with the latter. For all that, the 

 modern Cavy is a very beautiful little creature, and 

 whether it be the long-coated Peruvian, the harsh coated 

 and freely resetted Abyssinian, or the many sub- 

 divisions of the smooth-coated (or English), much pro- 

 gress has been made towards the point which goes to 

 make-up perfection in each. Notwithstanding the draw- 

 backs which exist to the keeping of Cavies as a self- 

 supporting hobby, they have at least this advantage over 

 mice they are not so objectionable, when kept in 

 numbers, to the sense of smell as are mice. The Cavy 

 too (call it a guinea pig if you like, for Auld Lang Syne) 

 is a great favourite with children, and that is something 

 in its favour. The varieties are pretty, many of them, 

 their colours diversified, and their coats glossy and 

 attractive. In addition, they are clean animals, fairly 

 hardy, easily fed, and in many ways most desirable pets. 

 We shall deal first, in connection with cavy keeping, 

 with 



HOUSING. 



Having gone exhaustively into the subject of ac- 

 commodation for hutches, etc., in connection with the 

 keeping of rabbits, it will scarcely be necessary to repeat 

 the information there given. It will be sufficient to say 



