>Aloha to all bee-liners and happy new year
 
   The same to Walter Patton and all other beekeepers and researchers!
 
>  Before this group gets split up into sophisticated sub (snoot)
>groups could I seek info from the group about the correct spelling of our
>beloved. Is it HONEYBEE or is it HONEY BEE. I see it both ways and I'm sure
>some old drones or GOV.paid professionals will be able to set me straight
>on this matter.
 
   In reference to Walter's question (though NOT a Gov. paid professional),
may I quote from an opening statement in a book I published in 1971 (THE
BEE LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY:  AN EXPERIENCE IN SCIENCE):  "My spelling of
'honey bee' follows the tradition in entomology."  That is, if an insect
really is what we know it to be, we use two words (e.g., honey bee, hover
fly, bot fly, rove beetle)  By contrast, if an insect falls outside what we
consider common sense (e.g., butterfly, dragonfly), we reflect that
situation by using only one word (a dragonfly is neither a dragon nor a
real fly!).  Unfortunately, standard dictionaries follow no such tradition,
causing those of who are authors much grief!
 
   Someday I hope those who write dictionaries straighten out their act!
 
                                                                Adrian
 
 
Adrian M. Wenner                         (805) 893-2838 (UCSB office)
Ecol., Evol., & Marine Biology           (805) 893-8062  (UCSB FAX)
Univ. of Calif., Santa Barbara           (805) 963-8508 (home office & FAX)
Santa Barbara, CA  93106
 
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