GERM DOCTRINE OF BONNET. 



255 



These are some of Bonnet's latest statements ; and as yet 

 we discover no surrender, no advances even, towards epigen- 

 esis. Indeed, the main intent of this "natural evolution" was 

 to shut every possible avenue to epigenesis, and make one 

 creation responsible for the whole machinery of the universe. 

 Creation once and for all, instantaneous, perfect ; the universe 

 and all it contains, one harmonious machine operating "natu- 

 rally," that is, turning out just as many "evolutions" and 

 "revolutions" as were originally designed and spoken into 

 existence that was Bonnet's creed his religion, his phi- 

 losophy, his science. 



Idea of Progress. 



This scheme of "natural evolution," which excludes all 

 progress, as we understand it, yet provides for the elevation 

 and perfection of all living organisms. Progress, however, 

 meant to Bonnet only the unfolding of successively higher 

 grades of germs. The soul-bearing germ, representing the 

 highest grade of perfection, was placed at the center of the 

 germ trinity, so that it would "naturally" come to develop- 

 ment last. Bonnet does not fix any limit to the number of 

 germs originally appointed to each individual ; he only sets the 

 minimum at three. 



"This same progression" (i.e., gradation), says Bonnet, 

 "which we discover to-day among the different orders of organ- 

 ized beings, will be seen, without doubt, in the future state of 

 our globe ; but it will follow other proportions which will be 

 determined by the degree of perfectibility of each species. 

 Man, transported then to another abode better suited to the eminence 

 of his faculties, will leave to the monkey or to tJic clcpJiant that 

 first place which he occupied among the animals of our planet. 

 In that universal restitution of the animals, the Newtons and 

 the Leibnitzes may be found among the monkeys and the ele- 

 phants ; the Perraults and tJic Vanbans among the beavers, 

 etc. 



"The lowest species, as the oysters, the polyps, etc.. will be 

 to the highest species of that new hierarchy as the birds and 

 quadrupeds are to man in the present hierarchy. 



