CAGES 



343 



sides and top and bottom are of woven wire work; 

 beneath the cage is a movable metal tray filled with saw- 

 dust, for the reception of the excreta. The cage as a 

 whole is raised from the ground on short legs . The sides, 

 etc., are generally hinged so that the cage packs up 

 flat, for convenience of storing and also of sterilising. 



The ordinary rat cage, a rectangular wire- work box, 

 30 cm. from front to back, 20 cm. wide, and 14 cm. 

 high, makes an excellent cage for guinea-pigs if fitted 

 with a shallow zinc tray, 35 cm. by 24 cm., for it to 

 stand upon. 



FIG, 170. Metal rabbit rage. 



A plentiful supply of straw should be provided 

 for bedding and the. food should consist of fresh vege- 

 tables, cabbage leaves, carrot and turnip tops and the 

 like for the morning meal and broken animal biscuits 

 for the evening meal. Occasionally a little water may 

 be placed in the cage in an earthenware dish. 



The tray which receives the dejecta should be 

 cleaned out and supplied with fresh sawdust each day. 

 and the soiled sawdust, remains of food, etc., should 

 be cremated. 



These cages are sterilised after use either by auto- 

 claving or spraying with formalin. 



