WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 33 



the formation of cirques, rock basins, U-shaped valleys, and hanging 

 valleys. Indeed, the discovery of the significance of the "Hanging 

 Valley" was a very important contribution to the science of glaciology, 

 completely demonstrating, as it does, the power of glaciers to erode, 

 and even measuring the minimum amount of erosion. He also dis- 

 covered a method of determining the direction of ice flow, without 

 depending upon glacial striae. 



While McGee's contributions to pure science were many and great, 

 his work upon the applications of science to man's well-being were 

 none the less notable. Among these were his studies of the water 

 resources of the country, with reference to navigation, irrigation, and 

 domestic supply. These led to his appointment as a member and the 

 Secretary of the Inland Waterway Commission. 



His work in all these various lines of scientific activity led up nat- 

 urally to the idea of Conservation. Of this movement he was one of 

 the originators, and he was one of the chief members of the Conser- 

 vation Commission created by President Roosevelt and the Sec- 

 retary of the section devoted to Water Resources. His work on this 

 Commission formed a fitting climax to his very useful life. 



From the Papyrus Club of Saint Louis : 



The late Doctor W J McGee, first Vice-President of the Papyrus 

 Club of Saint Louis, in the administration of Doctor Alexander N. 

 DeMenil, contributed much to the advancement of our organization 

 on the scientific side of our endeavors. His several essays and ad- 

 dresses on archaeology and kindred subjects were marked by original 

 thought, and his discourses on popular topics, of which he possessed 

 an inexhaustible fund, were invariably profitable and pleasing to 

 our members and invited guests. His prominent activity in Saint 

 Louis educational movements redounded greatly to our advantage, 

 and we recall all these efforts in our behalf and that of the general 

 Saint Louis public with feelings of gratitude. We early learned to 

 appreciate the fact that in Doctor McGee we had a collaborator capa- 

 ble of advancing the cause of popular science in this part of the coun- 

 try, an investigator and expert in research such as we have not had 

 since. His free mind and warm heart endeared him to all with whom 

 he came in contact. When he was called to a more promising field' in 



