>This ["superorganism] insight is as least as old as Darwin, isn't it? I had >thought that Darwin used this notion to explain why bees >did things clearly not in their own individual interest >(such as stinging and thereby killing themselves) but which >were in the interest of the hive as a whole. >Just a thought- I'd love to read more about latest views on it. The earliest record we know for the concept is that of Pliny, about 23-79 A.D., when he wrote: "What men, I protest, can we rank in rationaity with these [bees], which unquestionably excel mankind in this, that they recognize only the common interest." For a summary of some early thought on the topic, consult Excursus MM --- pp. 294-298 in our book, ANATOMY OF A CONTROVERSY (1990: Columbia University Press). If not too many requests come in, I can send a photocopy of those pages. Please reply to me directly, not to the Net. Adrian *************************************************************** * Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] * * Dept.Ecol.,Evol.,& Mar.Biol. Office Phone (805) 893-2838 * * University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2675 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-8062 * * * ***************************************************************