RISE OF EVOLUTIONARY THOUGHT 423 



recognize that the time was not ripe for the acceptance of 

 such truths; and, finally, that there was no great principle 

 enunciated bv Lamarck which could be readily understood 

 as there was in Darwin's book on the doctrine of natural 

 selection. 



The temporary disappearance of the doctrine of organic 

 evolution which occurred after Lamarck expounded his theory 

 was also owing to the reaction against the speculations of 

 the school of Natur-Philosophie. The extravagant specula- 

 tion of Oken and the other representatives of this school 

 completely disgusted men who were engaged in research by 

 observation and experiment. The reaction against that 

 school was so strong that it was difficult to get a hearing for 

 any theoretical speculation; but Cuvier's influence must be 

 looked upon as the chief one in causing disregard for La- 

 marck's writings. 



The work of Cuvier has been already considered in con- 

 nection both with comparative anatomy and zoology, but 

 a few points must still be held under consideration. Cuvier 

 brought forward the idea of catastrophism in order to explain 

 the disappearance of the groups of fossil animals. He be- 

 lieved in the doctrine of spontaneous generation. He held 

 to the doctrine of pre-delineation, so that it must be admitted 

 that w^henever he forsook observation for speculation he 

 was singularly unhappy , and it is undeniable that his posi- 

 tion of hostility in reference to the speculation of Lamarck 

 retarded the progress of science for nearly half a century. 



Cuvier and Saint-Hilaire.— In 1830 there occurred a 

 memorable controversy between Cuvier and Saint-Hilaire. 

 The latter (Fig. 118) was in early life closely associated with 

 Lamarck, and shared his views in reference to the origin of 

 animals and plants; though in certain points Saint-Hilaire 

 was more a follower of Buffon than of Lamarck. Strangely 

 enough, Saint-Hilaire was regarded as the stronger man of 



