Female rats with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) underate and lost weight compared to same-diet control rats when fed a 0.2% quinine-adulterated wet-mash maintenance diet, yet overate and gained weight compared to same-diet control rats when fed a 0.4% quinine-adulterated high-fat maintenance diet. Control rats underate and lost comparable amounts of body weight when fed either adulterated diet. These data question the generality of the concept of VMH finickiness and are discussed in terms of an increased hunger hypothesis. 1978.