706 MEMOlli OF GUYOT. 



The three phases recognized in the process are that of uudistiuguishable 

 parts, germ-like j that of diversification ; that of unity, which "allows 

 all differences, all individualities, to exist, but co-ordinates and subjects 

 them to a superior aim." ^Further, the final product or •' harmonic 

 unit," be it an organic species, or a continent, or societies, or whatever 

 condition, has its purpose fulfilled not in existing, but in jjreparing for 

 and producing other development beyond. 



As diltereutiatiou goes forward increasing diflerences, inter-actions 

 become more energetic. The greater the variety of individualities and 

 relations in a society of individuals the greater also is the sum of life, 

 the more universal, more complete, and more elevated the develop- 

 ment. 



Further, besides the unfolding of life "in all its richness of kinds 

 and forms by diversity, there is involved an exhibition of it in its util- 

 ity, in its beauty, in its goodness, by harmony; and this also for the 

 entire globe, collectively considered as a single individual." -This last 

 point was the special subject of the larger part of his lectures. 



Here was development for all history. All was put under one 

 formula, that which is expressed in embryonic development, and was 

 illustrated by details sustaining the application of the law. 



With regard to the geological succession of life, he had learned, 

 from Agassiz's announcements in his " Poissons Fossiles" (the first 

 volume, published in 1834), that the geological succession in species 

 was analogous in many respects to embryonic succession,* and he had 

 gathered other ideas from the philosophical thoughts of Goethe and 

 Stefifens, as well as Eitter; but in his special application of the princi- 

 ple to the earth's early and later history, and to human progress, he 

 went beyond his teachers. 



In reply to an inquiry as to the originality of his views, he wrote me, 

 December G, 1856, as follows : 



"The principle at the basis of development is at the bottom of all 

 the modern philosoi)hy of Germany, especially the philosophy of nature, 

 but in what an abstract and indigestible form will be seen on opening 

 any one of their uninviting volumes. Goethe, the poet and philoso- 

 pher, has, in a more concrete and tangible form, the beautiful law that 

 the more homogeneous, the lower the organism, and the more diversi- 

 fied in its parts, the higher the grade. Steffens, of Berlin, acted more 

 directly on my mind, and from him I got a distinct view of the impor- 

 tance of the internal contrasts and differences as regards the process 

 of life." - - - "All these notions of the law were taken, as was 

 natural, from the organized being ; I do not recollect to have seen it 

 applied, as I have applied it, to inorganic nature; to astronomy; to 

 geology — I mean to the growth of continents, and to the successive 

 and increasing diversifications of the surface keeping pace with the 

 wants of an increasing development of life; to physical geograpby, in 

 * Quoted, by Guyot iu bis sketcb of Agassiz, p. 57. 



