BRIDGING THE AGES OF ICE 
351 
the absorbing themes of human interest — the geologic genesis of 
the races of mankind. 
At this distant day the McGee observations assume another and 
very unexpected interest. There is an aesthetic element involved. 
In an exalted mood, almost unparalleled, Iowa State proposes to 
protect for future generations the site of these basic geological dis¬ 
coveries. She already erects over the scene a graceful and highly 
artistic stone arch, that becomes an integral part of the landscape 
prospect in a State Park in the very heart of her Capital. In devel¬ 
oping one of the beauty spots of her estate she makes the motif a 
geological one. Still in her aesthetic trance she has in contempla¬ 
tion the dedication of such noble bridge to Science. On one abut¬ 
ment it is suggested to place a large bronze bos relief of McGee, 
with appropriate inscription of its purpose; and on the other 
buttress a similar bronze tablet commemorating the scientific deeds 
of some other of Iowa’s geological sons, to be later determined by 
the Iowa Academy of Sciences. In transcending its scientific pre¬ 
serves this last mentioned institution already has to its credit the 
hanging in the State Art Gallery life-sized, oil portraits of three 
of Iowa’s most distinguished geologists. 
When McGee appeared upon the Glacial scene of central Iowa, 
in the Summer of 1881, the ground was already somewhat pre¬ 
pared for him. R. Ellsworth Call, who was then living in Des 
Moines, and who was particularly interested in the loess and its 
problems, had then recently discovered that this characteristic 
loam occupied the high grounds of all the region about the Capital 
City. To his astonishment the deposit was found reclining every¬ 
where upon the Glacial drift.® He did not know at that time that 
there was also Glacial till resting upon it. This feature was 
the important fact that McGee established when he came to go 
over critically and in detail the Call sections. 
Thus it transpired that about half a century ago when deep 
road-cuttings were being made on Capitol Hill there were un¬ 
earthed some geological features that have since become famous 
the world over. While the excavations were fresh the walls 
displayed with diagrammatic clearness some of the most note¬ 
worthy Glacial drift phenomena ever uncovered on the American 
8 American Naturalist, Vol. XV, p. 282, 1881. 
