CHAPTER V.

THE GUINEA PIG.

GUINEA pigs also belong to the order Rodéntia, and though they have a disagreeable smell, they are remarkable for their cleanliness, as they will not suffer the least particle of dirt to remain on their hair; and when two are kept together, one may frequently be seen cleaning the coat of the other.

The habits, food, and diseases of guinea pigs, very closely resemble those of the rabbit, and like that animal, if not kept clean, they will very soon become diseased. Though they come originally from Brazil, they have been so long naturalised in temperate climates, that they will bear a considerable degree of cold without inconvenience. They should be fed in the same way as rabbits, and they are exceedingly fond of tea-leaves, which, however, should not be given to them too abundantly. Probably the best food for them is parsley or carrots.

CHAPTER VI.

WHITE MICE.

WHITE mice are very beautiful little creatures, and they are so tame and gentle that they are admirably calculated for domestic pets. They may, indeed, be suffered to run about a room, and if well fed, they seldom try to escape. They may be taught to come when called, but they come to the voice of their feeder, and not to any particular name; as, though they may appear to come to a name, they pay no attention to that name when it is repeated by a stranger.

White mice are frequently kept in a revolving cage, like those sold for squirrels ; and cages are also formed for them with separate rooms one above another, and a staircase to the upper room, in which the food is generally placed. This contrivance is said to keep the mice in health, and they certainly appear very fond of going up and

down the stairs. White mice are generally fed with bread soaked in milk, and afterwards squeezed tolerably dry; but they are also very fond of oats, beans, and peas, which do not disagree with them if taken in moderate quantities.

F

CHAPTER VII.

MONKEYS.

MONKEYS are not very agreeable domestic pets, as they are extremely fond of mischief, and are very frequently vicious and spiteful to children. The only kind that is safe to keep in the house is, perhaps, the marmozet, or striped monkey. This is a pretty little creature, with a body only about eight inches long, and a tail considerably longer than its body. Its body is very slender, but it looks much larger than it really is, from its being covered with very long hairs. These creatures must be carefully watched if kept in the same room with gold fish, as they are very fond of catching and eating them. They will also, if kept near a pond, contrive to catch and eat other small fish, particularly very small eels.

Though monkeys approach so near the human species in some respects, they are not very easily