Similar experiments with the same kind of results were done with honeybees.These insects also seem to have a special sense of direction.
In spite of the experiments,the idea of an animal compass seemed pretty extraordinary.How
would an animal get the magnetic stuff for a compass.
An answer came from an unexpected source.A scientist was studying bacteria that live in the
mud of ponds and marshes.He found accidentally little rod-like bacteria that all swam together in
one direction—north.
Further study showed that each little bacterium had a chain of dense particles inside,which
proved magnetic.The bacteria had made themselves into little magnets that could line up with the
earth’s magnet.
The big news was that a living thing,even a simple bacterium,can make magnetite.That led
to a search to see whether animals might have it.. By using a special instrument called magnetometer,scientists were able to find magnetite in bees and birds,and even in fish.In each
animal,except for the bee.the magnetic stuff was always in or closer to the brain.
Thus.the idea of a built—in animal compass began to seem reasonable.
The Magnetic Sense — The Living Compass
Passage outline Supporting details
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