256 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS can be correlated with sensory evaluation of the same properties, thus enabling optimum properties to be specified along with acceptable depar- tures from the optimum. Having established these quantities, an invariable standard is then available for use in new product design and as a quality control tool. (Received: loth February 1975) REFERENCES (1) The art ofperfurnery. G. V. Septimus Piesse (1879). (2) Principles of sensory evaluation of food, chapter 6. Amerine, Pangborn and Roessler (1965) (Academic Press, New York). (3) Facts from figures, chapter 19. M. J. Moroney (1951) (Penguin Books, London). (4) Szczesniak, A. L. Correlations between objective and sensory texture measurements. Food Technol. 22 981 (1968). (5) Henry, W. F. et al. Texture of semi-solid foods: sensory and physical correlates. J. Food Sci. 36 155 (1971).

J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 27, 257-269 (1976) ¸ 1976 Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain Sex attractants in primates ERIC BARRINGTON KEVERNE* Presented at the Symposium on 'A Sensory Approach to Cosmetic Science' organized by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain at Manchester on 7-9th April 1975 Synopsis The importance of OLFACTORY communication in SEXUAL ATTRACTION among primates is clear from our previous studies, which led to the term 'PHEROMONE' being used to describe these olfactorily acting ATTRACTANTS. It is perhaps debatable whether such a term, originally defined to explain insect behaviour, can now be applied to the complex behaviour of a higher PRIMATE or man, where responses are not stereotyped. Such olfactory stimulants in these primates can produce mounting, masturbation and ejaculation, increase grooming behaviour and reduce aggression. Moreover, the ingredients in the composition of the stimulant may be added to, and produce improvements in the responsiveness of certain males. Since both the nature of the stimulants and the type of response produced can be varied, this clearly illustrates the complexity of defining an olfactory response in these higher primates. Among the primates, communication of female sexual attractiveness appears to involve olfactory mechanisms, and a number of field and laboratory studies have observed sniffing of the female's genital region prior to copulatory behaviour. This is particularly true of the macaques where Carpenter (4) first observed that the vaginal overflow of the rhesus monkey possessed a characteristic odour which he thought might provide additional stimuli attracting males to females. Jay (7) perceived a strong smelling vaginal discharge in toque macaques, Macaca sinica, and observed males to examine the genitalia of females in the group each day. Bonnet macaques, Macaca radiata, have rarely been seen to present for copulation unless solicitated by the male (14). This involved flipping the tail aside, olfactory examination of the genitalia, and on occasions, insertion of the * Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge. 257