The sun., 1916-10-15
I VOWO 7AOOQC IVIdII > Wal
Apes Studied by German Investigators
to Learn How They Think

TINE latest attempts to study apes
have been made by some Ger
man scientists, who selected
the island of Tencrife, of the coast OF
Africa, as the scene of the experiments
because OF the large number OF apes
there. n the equable climate. Prof.
Rothman has just announced some de-
tails Of the methods followed and the
results already obtained.
The station was placed In the centre
Of a large banana plantation, so that
the apes would have plenty OF their
natural food within reach. A small
cabin was built for the observers, and
sleeping rooms for the apes were butt
on the cabin. The apes under obser-
walton are given the fullest possible
liberty. but are constantly under OBJ
servation. in such a way tina they do
not know II.
The leadership Of the expedition was
undertaken by Prof. q. Teuber and his
wife. He ega work by taking seven
young chimpanzees for his first group
Two Of these died. and others wcr,
added from time to time. Each or,
was given one Of the outdoor rooms
and for three months they were kept
more or less closely confined Will"
Prot. Teuber and his wife made friends
with them.
The little apes also made friends with
As- 49, A.
ripened into love. They paired off. and
Sultan. a very intelligent male. went
so far as to select three wives. It was
remarkable hat so soon as they were
released the apes formed themselves
into herds, one being led by Sultan
and a large female. who brought up
the rear to secure the safety OF all.
they had broker "A path
through the woods. they continued to
use ii. II a male approached the
leader gave a cry Of warning. They
often lay in the long grass for hours
at a time. after throwing stones at
other animals. In the herd itself there
were frequent trials OF strength. and
newcomers had to be tested before
finding acceptance.
one of their favorite games seemed
To consist in throwing things to each
other. and back again. They were
very fond OF playing in the water. and
very soon graspcd the use III the
faucet. turning II on when they
wanted water. as they had seen the
human beings do. and they even
learned TO regulate the flow Of water.
Another of their games was TO catch
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other until they tired Of the sport.
They had their own dances, which
were more or less in the nature of
counting. Sultan, before entering his
sleeping quarters, often INDUCED in n
strange dance of his " with "A pccu,-
lar rhythmic character. striking the
earth three times with his hands.
When the human leade OF the station
wanted Sultan to dance he had only
10 beat on the side Of the cabin with
the same rhythm and the ChimparL""
took up his Cdpcriug. Even tn, ic-
males had their dances. turning and
twisting. and beating on the ground
rhythmically.
when they went out walking they
usually walked upright. not sin
their hands at all. even ascending lad
dcrs without uslug their hands.
The apes never sleep in the dIytimc
as apes in geological parks DO. At
sunset they 20 quietly TO their sleep
ing quarters Although they were pro-
Nided with COVERINGS some rrlnc TO
prefer TO build nests IN the trees. \
large femal" was very expert ~ this,
using branches and twlrS ana making
n nest moi, unlike those htlil' ly s,orkS