12 
GUINEA PIG. 
disagrees with them. They then gnaw clothes,, 
paper, or whatever of this kind they meet with ; 
and on these occasions they are seen to drink like 
most other animals,, which they do by lapping. 
The\ r are chiefly fond of new milk ; but in case 
of necessity, are content with water. 
They move pretty much in the manner of rab- 
bits, though not near so swiftly ; and when confined 
in a room, seldom cross the floor, but generally 
keep along the wall. The male usually drives 
the female on before him, for they never move 
abreast together, but constantly the one seems to 
tread in the footsteps of the preceding. They 
chiefly seek for the darkest recesses, and the most 
intricate retreats ; where, if hay be spread as a 
bed for them, they continue to sleep together, and 
seldom venture out but when they suppose all in- 
terruption removed. On these occasions they 
act as rabbits ; they swiftly move forward from 
their bed, stop at the entrance, listen, look round, 
and if they perceive the slightest approach of dan- 
ger, they run back with precipitation. In very 
cold weather, however, they are more active, and 
run about in order to keep themselves warm. 
They are a very cleanly animal, and very differ- 
ent from those whose name they go by. If the 
young ones happen to fall into the dirt, or be any 
other way discomposed, the female takes such 
an aversion to them, that she never permits them 
to visit her more. Indeed, her whole employment, 
as well as that of the male, seems to consist in 
smoothing their skins, disposing their hair, and im- 
proving its gloss. The male and female take this 
office by turns ; and when they have thus brushed 
up each other, they then bestow all their concern 
upon their young, taking particular care to make 
their hair lie smooth, and biting them if they ap- 
pear refractory. As they are so solicitous for 
