In a recent book Arthur Koestler describes very cynically the superfluity of scientific meetings. He lists the various gatherings that are going to take place in one brief summer season in the Kon- gresshaus of a small Swiss village, ending the long list with three interdisciplinary symposia, titles of which contain the three words "Environment," "Pollution," and "Future" in three different permu- tations. By the same token, Koestler could list endlessly meetings on sensory physiology and behaviour or their synonyms, which have taken place allover the world on the national or international...