PERUVIAN CAVIES 287 



family, and should always be kept in hutches inside a house 

 or shed of some kind, as they are not found able to stand 

 exposure to either wet or cold, and would not be likely to 

 do well, unless in a thoroughly protected position. 



I consider the Peruvians are especially suited for ladies 

 to take up as a hobby, as yielding best results to those who 

 have infinite capacity for taking pains, as we know the 

 fair sex are used to in many of the forms of handiwork, 

 and such like, they have made especially their own. And 

 I am encouraged in this opinion by the fact that many of 

 the best specimens of the variety I have ever seen have 

 either been bred by ladies, or came from strains procured 

 from them. 



As I said in a few introductory notes, these are in 

 comparatively few hands, and I think there is room for 

 a few enterprising exhibitors to take up the variety with 

 zeal, and seek to obtain more entries at the shows, which 

 will mean the provision of a better classification and 

 keener competition for the prizes. 



I think more enthusiasm has been shown by the 

 fanciers of the other two varieties than of this, and that 

 more can be done with it than has hitherto been accom- 

 plished. 



In the matter of feeding, quality is not to be sacrificed 

 to quantity, and, whatever the food given, let it be the 

 best and most nourishing of its kind obtainable. A 

 little sweet meadow hay should be given morning and 

 evening, if placed in a little wire rack within easy reach 

 so much the better, to avoid risk of its being trodden on 

 and soiled ; I have found a little bread and milk, squeezed 



