GUINEA-PIG. 97 



musky smell, particularly in the summer season, from 

 which circumstance it receives its name. 



THE GUINEA-PIG. 



In the Linnaean system of zoology, the genus mus com- 

 prehends not only the whole of the mouse and rat kinds, 

 but also several animals, which, in their external form, bear 

 little resemblance to these. Among the latter is the gui- 

 nea-pig, or common cavy; which is a native of Brazil, 

 though its vulgar appellation among us imports a different 

 original. Few are unacquainted with the figure of this 

 elegant little creature, which is often reared with fond at- 

 tention as a domestic favourite. It is considerably smaller 

 than the rabbit, its legs and neck are very short, and it has 

 not even the vestige of a tail. It has the lip of the hare, 

 but differs from that animal in the number of its toes. 

 Like other creatures, when taken under the protection of 

 man, its colours vary. 



Of all quadrupeds, the guinea-pig is perhaps the most 

 pusillanimous. It has scarcely courage enough to defend 

 itself from a mouse ; and the only animosity which it is 

 ever seen to display, is against its own kind. Indeed, the 

 combats of these little animals are ridiculous enough to a 

 spectator. Their jealousies are quickly excited by the 

 most trivial causes ; on which occasion they fight in a 

 manner terrible, no doubt, to each other, however whim- 

 sical and ludicrous it may appear to us. They scratch, 

 bite, and kick ; and sometimes inflict dangerous wounds. A 

 falling leaf, however, will disturb them, the rustling of 

 wind alarm, and the most ignoble foe overcome them. 



The guinea-pig, though long domesticated in Europe, 

 requires warmth ; and if neglected in extremely cold wea- 

 ther, is sure to perish. It is particularly cleanly: the 

 male and female take a pleasure in licking and decking 

 each other; and they also watch by turns, while the other 

 sleeps. They are very prolific ; and are commonly fed 

 with bran and succulent vegetables, but seldom drink. 



