THE GUINEA-PIG. 57 



latter, and seldom suffers them to escape. The female is 

 visibly less than the male, and breeds twice a year. They 

 require to be kept warm in our climate, and are generally 

 fed with bread and milk. 



This is an useful animal, but offensive from its disagree- 

 able scent. It is voracious in its nature; and, though 

 tame, is without attachment. Such is its appetite for 

 blood, that it has been known to attack and kill children 

 in the cradle. It it very irritable ; and, when provoked, 

 emits a most nauseous smell. Its bite is not cured without 

 great difficulty. 



THE GUINEA-PIG. 



Few are acquainted with the figure of this elegant little 

 creature, which is often reared with fond attention, 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 hare lip ; but differs 

 from the hare in the number of its toes. Like other crea- 

 tures, when taken under the protection of man, its colours 

 vary. 



Of all animals, the Guinea-pig is perhaps the most pu- 

 sillanimous. 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, no doubt terrible to each other, however whimsical 

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

 kick, and sometimes inflict dangerous wounds. A falling 

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

 wind alarms them, and the most contemptible foe over- 

 comes them. 



