WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 101 



fulness of the man throughout were truly remarkable None real- 

 ized more clearly than he the hopelessness of his case, or knew better 

 when the end might be expected. It was a painful experience to be 

 called on to assist in the systematic closing of his affairs. He care- 

 fully directed from his bed the completion of the work he had under 

 way at the time of his accident, resigned his active positions in various 

 organizations, and advised friends and colleagues of the anticipated 

 end. He dictated his will, which is convincing evidence of his abhor- 

 rence of waste, his absolute devotion to science and the public interest, 

 and of his thoughtfulness of others. 



Owing to his wonderful vitality he lingered longer than the at- 

 tending physicians anticipated, passing away quietly and peacefully 

 during a period of unconsciousness in the early morning of September 

 4, 1912. 



Much has been said by Doctor McGee's associates to indicate the 

 loss to science, to progress, and to humanity his death entails, and 

 it is a privilege to add this testimony that his greatness as a scientist 

 was enhanced by his admirable personal characteristics. 



From Doctor R. A. F. Penrose, Jr., of Philadelphia: 



My first recollection of Doctor McGee was when he went to Ar- 

 kansas in 1891 or 1892 to study the tertiary deposits of the southern 

 part of that State. I was at that time assistant geologist on the 

 Arkansas Geological Survey under Dr. J. C. Branner, who was State 

 geologist. I met Dr. McGee in Little Rock and accompanied him 

 for a few days on his trip through the southwestern part of the State. 

 His wonderful energy and his quick grasp of the salient features of the 

 geology of the region in which he was traveling left a lasting impres- 

 sion on me. I was at that time working on the geology of the iron 

 ores of the same region, and the kindly interest Dr. McGee took 

 in my work, as well as his pertinent suggestions, were a great stimulus 

 to me in these investigations. 



This trip in Arkansas was the only time that I ever traveled with 

 Doctor McGee, and I never had the good fortune to be associated 

 with him in any of his other work, but I often met him afterward in 

 Washington and at geological meetings. He was always the kind, 



