DE VRIES' "MUTATION" 91 



might constitute as great a prop for one ruling 

 class at it had already been for another. 



But in his capacity of scientific reflection of 

 the class interest of his masters, Cuvier's mas- 

 terpiece was his "cataclysmic theory." Ac- 

 cording to this theory, organisms were not 

 the result of evolution, but they were now just 

 as when they issued from the hands of the 

 Creator. The difference between existing 

 forms, and those creatures whose story is 

 preserved in the rocks, was explained by a 

 series of cataclysms or catastrophes by which, 

 at certain widely separated periods, all living 

 forms were destroyed, and a completely new 

 stock was created to take their places. 



It would be impossible to conceive a better 

 scientific justification of the French revolu- 

 tion than Cuvier's theory presented. For many 

 decades before that event these rising com- 

 .mercialists had groaned under the yoke of 

 feudal dues and feudal restraints of trade. 

 Nothing could be more to their wishes than 

 a sudden social "cataclysm" that would de- 

 stroy the feudal system with its trade despis- 

 ing and plundering nobility, and exalt its own 

 trading class to fill the vacancy. And when 

 this had been accomplished, and that same 

 nobility had been sent to the guillotine, it 

 was great consolation to have on Cuvier's au- 



