504 HISTORY OF PHYSIOLOGY. 



peared, by the controversial character which the dis- 

 cussions on this and several other subjects assumed, 

 that a real opposition of opinions was in action. 



Without attempting to explain the exact views of 

 Geoffroy, (we may, perhaps, venture to say that they 

 are hardly yet generally understood with sufficient 

 distinctness to justify the mere historian of science 

 in attempting such an explanation,) their general 

 tendency may be sufficiently collected from what 

 has been said ; and from the phrases in which his 

 views are conveyed 8 . The principle of connexions, 

 the elective affinities of organic elements, the equili- 

 brization of organs ; such are the designations of 

 the leading doctrines which are unfolded in the pre- 

 liminary discourse of his Anatomical Philosophy. 

 Elective affinities of organic elements are the forces 

 by which the vital structures and varied forms of 

 living things are produced ; and the principles of 

 connexion and equilibrium of these forces in the 

 various parts of the organization, prescribe limits 

 and conditions to the variety and developement of 

 such forms. 



The character and tendency of this philosophy 

 will be, I think, much more clear, if we consider 

 what it excludes and denies. It rejects altogether 

 all conception of a plan and purpose in the organs 

 of animals, as a principle which has determined their 

 forms, or can be of use in directing our reason- 

 ings. "I take care," says Geoffroy, "not to ascribe to 

 8 Phil. Zool. 15. 



