UNITV OF COMPOSITION. 261 
of the dictum of Leibnitz, which defines the universe to be “unity 
in variety.” Natural history thus treated is elevated to the first of 
the sciences. 
The two great men who exercised such a different influence 
upon the progress of zoology worked together in their youth, and 
published many treatises conjointly, but soon the divergence of 
their views led to their taking separate paths. Cuvier, whose mind 
was exact and unimaginative, applied himself to the rigorous 
observation of facts, and to the consequences immediately resulting. 
GOETHE, 
He proclaimed the supreme authority of analysis, and feared the 
premature conclusions of synthesis. He carried his belief in 
finalism to excess, and was a firm believer in the absolute invaria- 
bility of species. 
On the other hand, Geoffroy St. Hilaire was an enthusiastic and 
bold thinker. He attached great importance to the conclusions 
of synthesis, and believed that science ought to be guided by the 
light of philosophy. He taught that there was a limited variety 
of species, and these were influenced by surrounding circumstances ; 
including all organised beings under the same law, he allowed 
to classifications but a very secondary value. 
To conclude, Cuvier maintained the doctrine of differences, and 
represented the analytic school; St. Hilaire supported the doctrine 
of resemblances, and belonged to the synthetic school. One was 
the historian of Nature, the other wished to be her interpreter. 
