Editorials. 



The protracted ill health of Major J. W. Powell has led 

 to his resignation of the office of Director of the United 

 States Geological Survey, and to appointment, with his hearty- 

 endorsement, of Professor Charles D. Walcott who has had 

 charge of much of the executive work of the Survey for the past 

 year or more. Although Major Powell has suffered much from 

 other forms of ill health for several years, the immediate cause 

 of his resignation, we understand, was a renewal of trouble from 

 his amputated arm, which had reached a stage requiring re-am- 

 putation. As is well known, Major Powell lost his right arm on 

 the evening of the first day of battle at Shiloh, while he was gal- 

 lantly trying to hold his battery's position till night should come 

 to the relief of the sorely pressed army. We are glad to learn 

 that the re-amputation has already been successfully performed, 

 and that there is every prospect of a speedy recovery. The 

 probability of a measurable restoration to health has been 

 regarded sufficient to warrant Major Powell in retaining the less 

 exacting directorship of the Bureau of Ethnology, and to give 

 encouragement that he may be able to finish the important eth- 

 nological studies upon which he has been engaged for several 

 years. It is earnestly to be hoped that this may be realized, 

 and that he may be permitted to add to his record as an execu- 

 tive the more distinctively scientific fruits of a very original and 

 philosophical mind. 



The appointment of Mr. Walcott meets with the hearty 

 concurrence of his associates, and will be approved, we are sure, 

 by scientific men generally. Though a comparatively young 

 man, he has shown both investigative and executive ability of 

 an unusual order and possesses in high degree the personal qual- 

 ities which the position requires. 



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