WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 17 



reference to him by one whom he probably esteemed first among 

 his personal friends and with whom he had for several years worked 

 in complete harmony on various phases of conservation. As I con- 

 cluded my statement his face flushed, a lump seemed to rise in his 

 throat, and moisture came to his eyes. It was with difficulty that 

 he regained his self-control and gave expressions of his deep feeling 

 of gratitude. 



Two days after he was confined to his bed from a fall he requested 

 to see me. Upon my visit to him that afternoon he told me in a 

 simple matter-of-fact way that he had reached the beginning of the 

 end that he was the victim of cancer in an advanced stage, and that 

 there remained to him but a few weeks of life. He said it was his 

 desire to have his brain sent to Doctor Spitzka, of Philadelphia, and 

 his body given to some institution that it might be dissected in the 

 interest of scientific investigation. He knew that I always remain 

 in Washington through the summer, and as it was necessary for the 

 one upon whom he relied to be here when the end came he wanted to 

 know if I would consent to being named as his executor. His mind 

 seemed relieved upon receiving my consent and the next day he dic- 

 tated his will. 



He lingered more than two months and was almost a constant 

 sufferer. At first he was always glad to engage in conversation and 

 took a keen interest in passing events. He would at such times seem 

 to forget his condition, and not infrequently indulge in his old-time 

 chuckle at some humorous passage. 



He was unable to retain nourishment, and gradually became weaker 

 physically. Soon he began to show mental weariness and became 

 slow of speech, losing the old readiness of uttering the word that best 

 conveyed the thought he desired to express. Then came mental 

 mistiness and periods of unconsciousness, and thus he died. 



The next speaker was Mr. F. W. Hodge. 



Mr. Hodge said: 



It would be difficult for one who was so long associated with Doctor 

 Me Gee in an official and personal way, to present, in a few moments, 

 even a brief appraisal of his many qualities. To such a one four 



