THE DOCTRINE OF FINAL CAUSES. 485 



MM. Laurencet and Meyranx, on the contrary, conceived that the 

 sepia might be reduced to the type of a vertebrate creature, by consi- 

 dering the back-bone of the latter bent double backwards, so as to 

 bring the root of the tail to the nape of the neck ; the parts thus 

 brought into contact being supposed to coalesce. By this mode of 

 conception, these anatomists held that the viscera were placed in the 

 same connexion as in the vertebrate type, and the functions exercised 

 in an analogous manner. 



To decide on the reality of the analogy thus asserted, clearly belong- 

 ed to the jurisdiction of the most eminent anatomists and physiologists. 

 The Memoir was committed to Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire and Latreille, 

 two eminent zoologists, in order to be reported on. Their report was 

 extremely favorable ; and went almost to the length of adopting the 

 views of the authors. 



Cuvier expressed some dissatisfaction with this report on its being 

 read; 6 and a short time afterwards, 7 represented Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 

 as having asserted that the new views of Laurencet and Meyranx 

 refuted completely the notion of the great interval which exists 

 between molluscous and vertebrate animals. Geoffroy protested against 

 such an interpretation of his expressions ; but it soon appeared, by the 

 controversial character which the discussions on this and several other 

 subjects assumed, that a real opposition of opinions was in action. 



Without attempting to explain the exact views of Geoffroy, (we may, 

 perhaps, venture to say that they are hardly yet generally understood 

 with sufficient distinctness to justify the mere historian of science in 

 attempting such an explanation,) their general tendency may be suffi- 

 ciently collected from what has been said ; and from the phrases in 

 which his views are conveyed. 8 The principle of connexions, the elec- 

 tive affinities of organic elements, the equilibrization of organs ; such 

 are the designations of the leading doctrines which are unfolded in the 

 preliminary discourse of his Anatomical Philosophy. Elective affini- 

 ties of organic elements are the forces by which the vital structures 

 and varied forms of living things are produced ; and the principles of 

 connexion and equilibrium of these forces in the various parts of the 

 organization prescribe limits and conditions to the variety and develope- 

 ment of such forms. 



The character and tendency of this philosophy will be, I think, 



Princ. de Phil. Zool. discutes en 1830, p. 38. T p. 50. 



Phil. Zool. 15. 



