Eminent Living Geologists — H. H. Hou-ell. 437 



Fdr about sixteen years Mr. Howell was thus busily occupied, partly 

 in carrying on field-work himself, more largely in superintending 

 the work of the staff placed under him. With a number of men of 

 varied ability, energy, and enthusiasm, it is a well-nigh impossible 

 task to carry on the field-work in a strictly uniform manner. The 

 methodical habits and the stern sense of duty inculcated by Mr. Howell 

 proved, however, of inestimable value in the conduct of the Survey, 

 and it may be candidly admitted that no large tract of ground had 

 before been so systematically surveyed and inspected on the Geological 

 Survey. As a field-geologist and administrator no man came to be 

 more highly esteemed by the members of the Survey who had 

 worked under him. 



On the retirement of Ramsay in 1882, and when the present 

 Director-General was appointed in his stead, Mr. Howell was made 

 Director for Scotland. About this time several of the more ex- 

 perienced surveyors, who had worked under Mr. Howell in the 

 North of England, were transferred to Scotland. A great change 

 in the methods o-f mapping was then introduced — changes which 

 have borne excellent fruit in the detailed surveys which have since 

 been carried out in the highlands of Scotland. 



When the late H. W. Bristow retired in 1888, Mr. Howell was 

 appointed Director for Great Britain, although his special sphere of 

 action did not extend beyond the northern counties of England, the 

 detailed supervision of the men in the midland and southern parts 

 of England and Wales being relegated to senior geologists. During 

 these later years the mapping of the Isle of Man was commenced 

 and completed under the superintendence of Mr. Howell. 



Mr. Howell has added little to the general literature of geology. 

 We have referred to his official labours in maps and sections, in 

 memoirs and explanatory pamphlets, but we have no extended list 

 to add of papers communicated to scientific societies and magazines. 

 We may, indeed, mention one paper published in this Magazine (for 

 1890, pp. 8-13) entitled "Note on the Classification of the Eed 

 Eocks in South-East Durham ; and on a possible unconformity 

 between the Trias and the Permian Limestone in the same District." 



The fact is that Mr. Howell has given his life to official work, in 

 later years almost wholly to those administrative duties which bring- 

 but little praise or reward to the individual, except so far as his 

 guiding hand and advice are seen in the good work accomplished by 

 others. His life has been one of disinterested devotion to the 

 welfare of the public service, and of the men who have had the 

 privilege of working under his direction. We cordially wish him 

 all happiness in the days of his retirement. 



