THE GUINEA FIG. 



poEcs. Nevertheless, it is a pretty pet, and an observance cd 

 its habits, especially its scrupulous cleanliness as regards its 

 coat, will repay the attention it is necessary to lavish on it. 

 " There was formerly a prevalent idea," writes a modern 

 naturalist, " that rats had a special antipathy to the Guinea 

 pig, and would not haunt any place where one of these animals 

 was kept. Eabbit-owners were therefore in the habit of placing 

 a Guinea pig in the same apartment with the hutches, in hopes 

 of scaring away the rats, which are the chief enemies of tame 

 rabbits. As, however, in several instances the Guinea pigs 

 were eaten by the rats instead of driving them from the pre- 

 mises, the custom has gradually fallen into deserved disrepute." 



The Guinea pig's cage should be well defended against cold 

 and damp, as unless the animals are kept perfectly warm and 

 dry they will never thrive. Like the rabbits, they prefer gloom 

 to light, and thrive very well in a portable hutch built on the 

 same principle, but of lighter material and more elegantly, if 

 it were desired, than that recommended in this volume for 

 rabbits. As regards drink, the remarks made in the case of the 

 rabbits apply also to the Guinea pig. The aniinal is very 

 fond of milk. 



As regards food, any sort of vegetable food seems acceptable 

 to the Guinea pig ; herbs of most kind^ may be jgiven it, not 

 forgettiiig an occasional sprig of parsley, of which it is specially 

 fond. Carrots and carrot-tops, apples, oats, and tea-leaves, 

 may be safely placed in the hutch. 



The female goes with young three weeks, and after suckling 

 them for three weeks turns them off to shift for themselves. 

 When first born the little pigs have their eyes open, and are 

 covered with hair. They do not, however, attain perfect 

 ^owth tiU the age of eight months, soon after which they 

 tarill begin to reproduce their specids. 



