Bob Lawhon, age 18, of Manchester, Ga. for his question:

Do Guinea pigs come from Guinea?

The guinea pig is not a native of Guinea nor is he a pig. He is a native of South America and he is a rodent. He was, however, introduced to Europe by the Guineamen. These so‑called Guineamen were the captains of old sailing ships dealing principally with slaves along the Guinea Coast of Africa.

These old sailing ships stopped at many a port. Either they found the fat little guinea pig already transported to Africa, of they found him while visiting his native land.

The guinea pig is a sort of bunny of the Andes, where he enjoys life high on their slopes. In his native land he is known as the cavy or cuy. He was named guinea pig because he was taken to Europe by the Guineamen and grunted like a piglet.