Human Navigation and the Sixth Sense

"Human Navigation & The Sixth Sense," R.Robin Baker, NY, Simon & Schuster, 1981 ISBN 0-671-44390-, HC 122 pgs., & Append. I/II 6 pg., Ref. 5 pg., Index 5 pg., 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" With 3 prior treatises on migration, Dr. Baker (Biology) Univ. Manchester, Eng. proposes a generalized hypothesis of exploratory patterns & migratory mechanisms in Man & animals. He includes his own experiments on students, plus a thorough literature review on migration, a study in part due to prior solicitation by Jrnl. Nature (1873) for "contributions on the mysterious & instinctive sense of direction in Man and other animals, " Charles Darwin having been a donor. HN & T6S is a remarkable book - Baker, virtually alone as earnest savant of human navigation, scientifically narrates experiments, displays the raw data & methodology of analyses. He advises "navigation" is directional finding over unfamiliar domain where pilotage is over familiar domain, both (target) goal orientations as opposed to mere orientation (point of a compass). He affirms necessity of species exploration for survival (food & refuge) & lists the 5 major & 3 other human senses (taste, touch, sight, hearing, smell, temperature, balance & time) all conscious, & ponders Man's unconscious 6th sense as magnetic navigation (latter is in Erithacus rubecula (European Robin), Apis mellifera (Honey Bee), Columba livia (Homing pigeon), the last two also using sun's position, etc. HN & T6S is crammed with fascinating tidbits from this zoologist - most major bird migrations occur at night which also take note of wind direction; infra-sound (0.1 - 10.0 Hz) generated by ocean waves & mountain ranges may be utilized by migratory birds; that Peromyscus maniculatus (Deermice) & Nocua pronuba (Underwing Moth sp.) orient by stars; the moon's shadow may be used for orientation by birds, sandhoppers & moths, etc. Baker notes Humans & animals utilize several reference systems for navigation, there being species distinct hierarchy of those senses within rule of "least navigation" hypothesis, which factors effort & accuracy with magnetic sense likely at the bottom (least conscious, local magnetic anomalies, electrical storms, etc.) He concludes with discourse on Man's genetic inheritance, a studied comparison of male vs. female navigational skills, explication on anthropomorphism & reminder that cerebral sense of location is a human characteristic. An excellent read.