The Natural History of Selborne 215 



times be so extravagantly diverted, I leave to abler philo- 

 sophers than myself to determine. 1 



I am, &c. 



1 It is now recognised that both in human beings and in the lower animals 

 such a perversion of instinct is brought about by any violent and over- 

 whelming emotion, fear, distress, or pain, affecting the mother immediately 

 after the moment of maternity. It is an emotional period, and the emotions 

 it rouses are easily turned into strange channels. ED. 



