360 THE HISTORY OF BIOLOGY 



hear — aroused his interest in biology; at about the age of thirty he became 

 a pupil of Cuvier's, quickly obtained, through his recommendation, a post as 

 assistant, and eventually, after having held certain other appointments, 

 became his master's successor. By that time, however, the relations between 

 them had long been severed, for the pupil's quick-tempered and unreasonable 

 disposition could not reconcile itself to the calm considerateness of the mas- 

 ter. Blainville himself, however, was a splendid teacher, attracting large 

 audiences and devoting himself with indefatigable energy to his teaching 

 and research work up to a ripe old age. He died in 1850. 



Blainville was a biologist with many and varied interests. Amongst his 

 works the Manuel d'actinologie et de xpophytologie is worthy of mention, in 

 which he gives the results of his thorough investigations into the lowest 

 animal forms, and further an Osfeograplne, which deserves to be coupled with 

 Cuvier's investigations into the present-day and fossilized vertebrate ani- 

 mals. His theoretical conception of biology he has recorded in three works: 

 De r organisation, des animaux, Cours de physiologie, and Histoire des sciences 

 de I'organisme. In these he presents a view of life-phenomena that is in many 

 respects original and has proved of value for the future. The first work is 

 introduced with a survey of the objects and methods of comparative anat- 

 omy. First of all an account is given of vegetable and animal chemistry, 

 wherein, curiously enough, the universally accepted contrasts between the 

 alimental process of plants and animals are considered doubtful. Then the 

 animal is characterized as a "combination of certain organs, which give rise 

 to certain forces — inter alia, a digestive and a motive force — assuming a 

 definite form and influencing external surroundings in a definite manner." 

 As methods of getting to know the structure of the animal are adduced ob- 

 servation, experiment, and a logical mode of thought, after which are named 

 certain pioneers in this sphere, among whom one seeks in vain for the name 

 of Cuvier — a characteristic touch, showing the pupil's bitter feelings 

 towards his master. 



Blainville' s theory of cellular tissue 

 Next, an account is given of the structure of the animal body — this forming 

 one of the most brilliant sections of the work. Here Blainville declares with 

 a confidence such as was never shown previously that the cellular tissue is 

 the fundamental substance of the animal organism, the element which is 

 formed earliest and out of which all the organs are evolved. Of this tissue 

 it is said that it represents the finest and most extensive element in the ani- 

 mal body and that it is formed of thin membranes, which cross one another, 

 so that cystic interstices arise. As modifications of this tissue are mentioned 

 the skin, the mucous membranes, connective tissue, bone, vascular systems, 

 and finally — the most complex of all — muscle and nerves. Regarded from the 

 modern point of view, Blainville's conception of the cellular tissue as the basis 

 of the animal body is certainly imperfect, but when compared with the cellu- 



