Hi Ruth

> what I actually mean is that at this stage we should accept
>  a "scientific world view" in which they do not exist.

You accept or reject what you like, but do not try to impose the view as
being the 'only possibility'.

As far as non attended dances are concerned, I have the benefit of what I
have seen with my own eyes, and is there to be seen by whoever wishes to
challenge it.

> What exactly do you claim to have observed?
Simply this... bees dancing within an observation hive with no obvious
attendants or onlookers, there is nothing 'earth shattering' in that.

I do not attach a reason to this behaviour myself, but I would listen to any
suggestions as to the bee's purpose in so doing.

> This is not an idle question. Norman Carreck, a scientist engaged
> in honeybee research, also claimed to have (actually very often)
> observed dances without dance-attendants. But he later amended
> his statement (or qualified it more accurately, if you will) to state
> that a dance-attendant is always present at the start of the dance.

I know Norman well enough to say that he would not use the word 'always' as
you have indicated in the last line above. It is never possible to be that
equivocal. However, it is not my place to answer for Norman.


Best Regards & 73s, Dave Cushman... G8MZY
Beekeeping and Bee Breeding Website
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman

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