Just add one more step to the land mine tests, that of providing a 
nectar source and watching for the dance. Then you would see if language 
works, since there would be many other sources of odor (many land 
mines), but only one giving a reward.

Jim really said it all. What Jerry is seeing is just the first step in 
the process, finding the nectar source. We know one of the things that 
happens in the hive is the transfer of nectar and from that, its odor. 
It makes good sense for bees to search out other sources of that odor, 
since specific flowers do bloom in stands about the same time. Hence, 
there will probably be other stands of flowers in the area, other than 
the one close by. Hence, odor can send them out to find a new source, 
but language will direct them to a profitable source.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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