CA VIES. 



iSi 



partly of a series of short springs ; while the peculiar manner in which the body is 

 elongated when creeping is familiar to all. Their food consists of roots, corn, and 

 various vegetables ; and it is essential to the well-being of these animals that the 

 place where they are kept should be dry and warm. If supplied with abundance 

 of fresh vegetables, .guinea-pigs do not require water ; and when they do drink 

 they take but little, and this with a lapping action. When pleased, guinea-pigs 

 utter a soft murmuring cry ; when alarmed, this changes to a squeak ; while a 

 series of short grunts (from which they probably derive their name) appear to be 

 their mode of expressing their wants and desires. The two sexes live in company, 



THE GUINEA-PIG ( nat. size). 



but each male selects a partner from the herd ; and during such selection conflicts 

 not unfrequently take place between rival males. 



Few animals exceed the guinea-pig in fertility, and this is the more remark- 

 able, since, as we have seen, the wild cavies increase but slowly. In Europe the 

 female will produce from two to three litters in a year, each of which will contain 

 from two to five young ; while in warmer regions the number produced at a birth 

 may be as many as six or seven. The young are brought forth in a highly advanced 

 state of development, with their eyes fully opened, and, curiously enough, their milk- 

 teeth already shed. In a few hours they are able to run by the side of the mother ; 

 while by the second day they are able to nibble not only soft plants, but even corn. 

 They are suckled for a fortnight, during which period they are carefully tended by 

 the dam ; but after this the parental affection rapidly wanes, and in three weeks 

 (by which time the parents have again paired) the young are left to shift by them- 



