This book makes no claim to literary merit. In it perhaps may be found the sentimental, the bombast, the ?owery, the too strongly marked personality, or other defects; but it was meant for a simple, unpre tentious account of the life of a dearly beloved brother, published by his only sister as a tribute of her undying affection for him, with the feeling that the printed record of a life so prominent in scientific circles and so distinguished in the services of the United States government, with some extracts from writings, addresses, and reports, which are only samples of the splendid and indefatigable work he did, might be of interest to his many relatives, friends, and others who knew him personally or through the good he did or tried to do for the cause of science and humanity; nor was there any hope or desire of obtaining pecuniary or other advantages from the publication of the work. Nothing in the book can add anything more to the name or fame of W J mcgee; but if these reminiscences will brighten ever so little the luster of that name and deepen the memory of the man in the minds of those who read its pages, the author can not feel otherwise, than.