STRENGTH OF APES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17245, 11 January 1924, Page 5

STRENGTH OF APES.

INTERESTING TESTS. Recent strength tests with dynamometers in the New York Zoo have revealed a truly astounding muscular power in certain of the larger apes. They were able to pull two to four times as hard as the average college athlete of corresponding weight.. And that without any of the training or preparation such as athletes undergo. The difficulty of getting the apes to make a fair test of their strength was found to he great. They are ludicrously afraid of revolvers, and the dynamometer glistened sufficiently t-o make them think it might be some similar sort of weapon. And when they grew accustomed to the metallic glisten of the apparatus, they quickly lost interest in it. By attaching ropes to the machine they oould be persuaded to pull, especially if a man pulled on the other end, and when they found the machine to stand firm they stopped pulling long before their maximum strength had been put forth. However, one of the larger apes proved moro amenable to testing and provided the investigator (Air John E. Bauman) with a really thrilling exhibition of strength. This was Susette, otherwise known as Sister Susie, and she is described by Mr Bauman cp “a highly-trained adult female chimpanzee, who formerly was a circus attraction, being a good bicycle rider, and an adept at roller skating.” The increasing treaoherousness and meanness of Suzette’g disposition was the factor that finally compelled her owner to retire her from circus life and place her in the Zoo. It was Hpt disposition, however, which caused the first test with her to be a complete success. As Air Bauman had tist finished fastening the chain that eld the opposite end of the apparatus firmly to the steel frame several feet In front of the cage, Susette, evidently thinking she had the handlers of ♦he apparatus at a disadvantage, and could pull it to pieces, sprang at the rope, and, bracing both feet against the bars, pulled it back with both hands upon the rope, making a pull o*i the latter that recorded 12601 b upon the dial of the recording device. An average college student of Suzette'.x weight, 1851 b. can pull in an approximately similar position and manner only 3321 b, while one out of every hundred students can thus pull oOOIb. The question suggested is naturally, if 1351 b Sister Susie could pull 12001 b. what could an Bft, 4501 b gorilla pall? As Professor Arthur Brisbane, commenting on these tests, remarks, a full-grown gorilla could tackle a hundred of the world's beat hoxers simultaneously, tear them all Jp P ec€s - and come off unharmed. Lien little 13olb Susie could climo int V t J 1 ° Prize rin * and pitch Dempsev or Willard or Johnson out on his head into Row I) of the ringside spectators.