HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 377 



THE GUINEA-PIG, OR RESTLESS CAVY. 



(Mm PorcclluSy Linn. Le Cochon d'Inde, Buff.) 



THIS little animal, though a native of Brazil, 

 lives and propagates in temperate, and even in cold 

 climates, when protected from the inclemency of 

 the seasons. Great numbers are kept in a domestic 

 state, but for what purpose can hardly be deter- 

 mined. They have neither beauty nor utility to 

 recommend them; their skins are of little value: 

 and their flesh, though eatable, is far from being 

 good. Their habits and dispositions are equally 

 unpleasant and disgusting: void of attachment 

 even to their own offspring, they suffer them to be 

 devoured the moment they are brought forth, with- 

 out making the smallest attempt to defend them. 

 The males frequently destroy their own young; and 

 are so stupid as to allow themselves to be killed by 

 Cats without resistance. They pass their whole 

 lives in sleeping, eating, and in the propagation of 

 their species. They are by nature gentle and tame ; 

 they do no mischief, but seem to be equally in- 

 capable of good. Rats are said to avoid the places 

 where they reside. 



VOL. in. 3 B 



