JOHN WESLEY POWELL. 69 



lected in these respects; but as his friend I do not feel it my privi- 

 lege, as it certainly is not my desire, to do that which would have 

 offended his democratic taste. In his estimation the wearing of 

 medals, decorations, and insignia savored of the creation of an 

 aristocracy of science. And from my standpoint as a biographer a 

 catalogue of honors conferred would belittle my theme. Some men 

 are magnified by titles and diplomas, by medals and ribbons; 

 others do not need them. On Powell's true honor list are the Bu- 

 reau of Ethology, the United States Geological Survey, the base- 

 level of erosion, and a philosophy of human evolution. 



