Thieves, Deceivers, and Killers: Tales of Chemistry in Nature

Although humans communicate almost exclusively through language, a number of species rely heavily upon their chemical senses of smell and taste to detect or deflect danger in the environment, to petition a mate and to locate sources of food. In a detailed yet highly readable examination, more akin to a collection of short stories than a dry, scholarly inquiry, Agosta (Bombardier Beetles and Fever Trees, etc.) illuminates the role of chemicals in nature. The narrative opens with the dramatic tale of slave-making ants that steal the brood of a neighboring ant species. The battle is fought and won without many casualties or much effort, however, since slave-making ants possess a chemical weapon that causes their adversaries to flee in confusion, abandoning their young to a life of slavery. Other uses of chemicals include ""eavesdropping"" by prey on their predators' secretions to avoid imminent danger, and mimicry, or counterfeiting another creature's signals for one's own purposes. To protect themselves from herbivores, turnips take the offensive and produce a sulfur compound that repels most enemies, and which we identify as this vegetable's distinctive flavor. It is impossible to write about chemicals in the natural world without addressing the contributions of humans, the most adept manipulators of natural and derived chemicals, and Agosta covers the breadth of human involvementDfrom the practice of crushing sea snails to yield a royal purple dye in A.D. 60, to modern applications of an anti-cancer agent found in sea hares. Agosta's illuminating, well-written tale should appeal to a broad audience; though it lacks the particular grace of Lewis Thomas, many of that author's fans will find good, enlightening reading on biology here. (Nov. 20)