The scent of life

A plume of invisible aromas rising from wet grass after a rain shower, the smell of a freshly baked cake, or the hint of a perfume wafting in the air can all evoke strong feelings and memories. Our lives are apparently dominated by the visual sense, but often smells trigger much deeper emotional responses. In fact, olfactory sensations rule much of the behaviour and ecology of a myriad of animal species, including our own.