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 becomes paralyzed with fear and allows its enemy to catch up. It is a curious fact that when a weasel has singled out a rabbit to chase, it will not touch the others, although it brushes quite close to them in the passages of the burrows.

Many people have wondered of what use to the rabbit is the little white fur which has given rise to the name "cotton-tail." The most likely reason for its existence is that at the sign of danger the parents dash off, and the white is a guide for the little ones. Everyone who has shot rabbits knows that it serves as a mark to aim at.

THE GUINEA-PIG.

Why the should have been so called is a puzzle, for it is not a pig at all, nor does it come from Guinea, but from South America. It is very brightly and irregularly colored, and very often has large dabs of orange, black, and white upon it.

GUINEA-PIG (⅓ Natural Size).

The guinea-pig breeds freely, but the young are very delicate for the first few days after they are born. This little animal is clean and docile, but stupid, and its intelligence is far below that of the rabbit. On the whole, the guinea-pig may be said to be practically of no use to man, as its flesh is too coarse for food, and its skin, owing to the slight manner in which the hair is attached, is of no value to the furrier.

The guinea-pig has always been a popular pet with children. It requires but little attention and will eat any kind of vegetable food.

The guinea-pig sometimes shows a spark of courage, if a cat or dog should come too near its young ones, but as its teeth are not sharp, it is practically unable to defend itself from enemies of any size.