VARIEGATED CAVY. ^9 



manner as the Hare. They are very tender ani- 

 mals^ and susceptible of cold, and should there- 

 fore be provided with warm receptacles to retire 

 into in bad weather. If fed too long on very 

 succulent food, as cabbage^ sowthistle, &c. they 

 receive injury by it, and should be relieved by 

 allowing them more solid food^ as breads grain^ 

 &c. They have often been used as an article of 

 food, and are in some place considered as a deli- 

 cacy. In their habits they are extremely neat, 

 and may be frequently observed in the act of 

 smoothing and dressing their fur, somewhat in 

 the manner of a Cat. In their quarrels they not 

 only bite but kick each other, like horses, with 

 their hind feet. It is observed, that the male 

 and female seldom sleep at the same time ; but 

 seem alternately to watch each other; the one 

 sleeping while the other is feeding, &c. Their 

 general voice is a sort of grunting squeak, and 

 sometimes a shriller or sharper cry. 



