260 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
lopods, for instance—were not connecting links, but curious 
existences, without a reason for their peculiarities. 
St. Hilaire reminded Cuvier how, when he found a few bones 
of the Anoplotherium—a species of fossil tapir—he had practically 
adopted the very theory he now opposed, and with wonderful 
genius had built up the whole animal from the very analogy which 
he now contended did not exist; and how wonderfully correct his 
animal synthesis had been proved by the subsequent discovery of 
a perfect skeleton. 
CUVIER, 
Nearly forty years have passed since the celebrated contro- 
versy. The predictions of Goethe have in some degree’ been 
realised. “ Mind,” said that profound thinker, “will always govern 
matter.” 
We shall discover the great maxims of creation; we shall 
penetrate into the mysterious workshops of the universe. What 
are our relations with Nature, if we only occupy ourselves with 
material individuality, and if we do not recognise that living 
principle which gives to each organ its direction, and which ordains 
and sanctions every deviation from the inherent law of growth ? 
Unity of composition and secondary laws thence deduced, found 
their way into the ideas, the teaching, and the books of the period. 
That seed has borne great fruit, its latest being Darwin’s theory, to 
which allusion has been made. The new doctrine thus introduced, 
is merely—as Geoffroy St. Hilaire himself said—but a confirmation 
