248 NATURAL HISTORY. 



and breeds, in temperate and even in cold countries* 

 provided it is properly taken care of. Its skin is of 

 little or no value ; and the flesh, though people may 

 eat it, is very indifferent food. Their flesh, however, 

 might be rendered better, if they were reared in war- 

 rens, and had a proper choice of herbs. 



The growth of these animals is not entirely com- 

 pleted till the end of eight or nine months. The fe- 

 male never goes with young above three weeks ', and 

 she has been known to bring forth when only two 

 months old. The first litter does not amount to more 

 than four or five. The second amounts to five or six, 

 and the rest to seven or eight, and even to ten or ele- 

 ven. She does not suckle her young above twelve or 

 fifteen days. In one year a thousand might be ob- 

 tained from a single couple, did they not frequently 

 destroy each other, and perish .from the cold and wet. 



The Guinea pig feeds on all sorts of herbs and espe- 

 cially on parsley, which it prefers even to bran, flour, 

 or bread. Of apples and other fruits it is also exceed- 

 ingly fond. Like the rabbit, it eats quickly, little at 

 a time, but very often. It grunts somewhat like a 

 young pig. 



These animals are so delicate, that it is with diffi- 

 culty they survive the rigours of winter. When they 

 feel cold, they assemble together, press close to one 

 another, and in this situation are frequently found dead. 





