22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW HA VEX MEETING 



sion, and he set about their solution. His work was distinctly constructive. 

 and as such finds a permanent place in American geologic history. While 

 certain of his conclusions, as is almost inevitable in pioneer work, have 

 been modified or revised, the broad, fundamental generalizations remain 

 as an essential basis for later students. 



After an interval of a dozen years or more following the close of his 

 studies on Coastal Plain geology, during which his attention was mainly 

 occupied in the field of ethnology. Doctor McGee again returned to the 

 consideration of certain collateral geologic problems. It had come to be 

 the fancy in certain quarters that the removal of the forest or vegetal 

 covering had little or no influence on the run-off of surface waters. His 

 report on "Soil Erosion," published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Soils 

 in the United States Department of Agriculture, is a complete and 

 graphic refutation — if such were really needed — of this contention. His 

 last work, completed less than a month before his death, and also to be 

 published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Soils, is an elaborate study of 

 subsoil water and its essential relation to agriculture. ' 



Of his anthropological and ethnological work only the briefest mention 

 may be made here. TThile much of his time was given to administrative 

 work, he nevertheless found opportunity for a number of studies, perhaps 

 the most notable being a study of the Seri Indians, a fierce, previously 

 unstudied tribe inhabiting certain islands off the coast of Lower Cali- 

 fornia. 



Doctor McGee did much for the Geological Society of America. He 

 was one of its founders and served for four years as its editor, establish- 

 ing the Bulletix, its official publication, on the high plane it then and 

 has since maintained. His constant attendance at the meetings during 

 the earlier years of the Society's existence will be recalled, as well as his 

 contributions to many notable discussions of geologic problems. 



vV J McGee was a man of commanding presence, one who would attract 

 attention in whatever assemblage he might find himself. Although 

 seemingly somewhat formal in address to those not intimately acquainted 

 with him. he was. nevertheless, a man of cordial, sympathetic manner 

 and of deep human sympathies. It is related of him that once., when in 

 attendance on a meeting of the American Association, he was asked by a 

 local divine to fill his pulpit at the Sunday evening service. Although 

 not affiliated with any church, McGee accepted at once, and. selecting as 

 his text the words "Love ye one another.' 7 delivered an address replete 

 with human sympathy and understanding. He was kindly and consid- 

 erate to those who worked with him and generous to a degree, it being 

 rare indeed — too rarely for his own best interest — that an appeal was 



