The Guinea-Pig　豚鼠

The guinea-pig is a native of South America,and is remarkable for the beauty and variety of its colors,and the neatness of its appearance.These little pets are very careful in keeping themselves and their offspring neat and tidy,and may be frequently seen smoothing and dressing their fur,somewhat in the manner of a cat.After having smoothed and dressed each other's fur,both turn their attention to their young,from whose coats they remove the smallest speck of dirt,at the same time trying to keep their hair smooth and unruffled.The Guinea-pig feeds on bread,grain,fruit,vegetables,tea leaves,and especially garden parsley,to which it is very partial.It generally gives birth to seven and eight young at a time,and they very soon are able to take care of themselves.

豚鼠土生土长在南美。它们身上有好几种漂亮的颜色，看上去又干净又整洁，分外引人注目。这些小东西特别在乎外表，总是把自己和孩子们收拾得干干净净、整整齐齐的。它们经常像猫那样梳理自己的皮毛。先是豚鼠夫妻俩互相梳理，然后一起为孩子们梳。它们把孩子们身上的脏东西弄掉，哪怕是最小的渣滓也不放过。在这个过程中，还要保持自己身上的毛发纹丝不乱。豚鼠吃面包、谷粒、水果、蔬菜、茶叶，尤其爱吃菜园里的香菜。豚鼠通常一次能产七到八只小豚鼠，而且，小豚鼠很快就能自己照顾自己。