George Ferdinand Becker. 245 



introduction written by Dr. Becker in which the purpose 

 and progress of his thought in this direction is briefly 

 but clearly set forth. 



In this year also the Carnegie Institution of Washing- 

 ton came to the aid of the undertaking and increased 

 both its scope (to include chemistry) and its resources. 

 In 1907 a separate and more appropriate laboratory 

 building was provided by the same Institution and here 

 he carried out (in collaboration with Mr. Van Ostrand) 

 the experimental work on schistosity, elasticity and dif- 

 fusion which occupied the closing years of his life. The 

 major portion of the results of this later activity is still 

 unpublished. 



Dr. Becker enjoyed a wide acquaintance and received 

 many honors both at the hands of his colleagues and of 

 foreign learned bodies. He was elected to the National 

 Academy of Sciences.; also to the Presidency of the 

 Geological Society of America in 1914. 



In thought and manner Dr. Becker was a true pioneer, 

 absolutely fearless, impatient of limitations, quick to get 

 at the heart of a problem, direct and vigorous in its 

 prosecution and with untiring spirit, even under the 

 strain of protracted illness which clouded the closing 

 years of his life. 



Arthur L. Day. 



Am. Jour. Sci.— Fourth Series, Vol. XLVIII, No. 285.— September, 1919. 

 17 



