108 McGEE MEMORIAL MEETING 



Outside of the earlier studies of Professors E. W. Hilgard and E. 

 A. Smith, in the Gulf States, very little was known of these wide-spread 

 mechanical deposits, in which much confusion was likely to arise. 

 Many writers were speculating upon the Glacial phenomena of the 

 north, while few were interested outside of their own limited fields, 

 much less caring for the geology of the south, although Professor Dana 

 had been interested in the subject. 



McGee's work upon the coastal plain was not a revision with even 

 variations, but a new chapter in geology as great as the area covered. 

 This investigator did not fail to appreciate the rights of others, but 

 consulted with them, and adopted the term "Lafayette," which had 

 been used by Hilgard. 



In Doctor McGee's studies of the soils, the same originality is found 

 in an old but unexplored field. The last time I heard him speak was 

 upon the subject of water being at lower levels in the soil than before 

 its cultivation, so that the water-supply in soils would limit the density 

 of population. 



McGee's labors in these and other fields show that he had no su- 

 perior among his contemporary geologists, and some of his achieve- 

 ments were monumental. 



To me it was a source of regret that his geological researches were 

 restricted by his diversion to anthropology, although this branch 

 added to his versatility. Yet I never heard him express himself up- 

 on this point, as he seldom showed his feelings, being guarded in his 

 speech. 



In his ethics, he had regard for the rights of others. He had been 

 an independent and also an official investigator, realizing the difficul- 

 ties of both classes. He was tolerant of the theoretical views differing 

 from his own. Seeing the necessity of promoting independent re- 

 search, he attended the organization meeting of the Geological Society 

 of America, which Society was founded for that purpose. I believe 

 that he was the only representative of the United States Geological 

 Survey present. It was under his editorship that the Bulletin as- 

 sumed its admirable form. So also he avoided the introduction of 

 useless controversies, as in a case where an adverse criticism was 

 appended to a paper. The editor sent the whole proof to the author, 

 who replied, having the facts and logic on his side. This led the critic 

 to withdraw his remarks, as did the author his reply. 



