REMARKS ON THE FIGURES OF PLATE XXXVII. . 3 
of figs. C, F, I, M, P relate to any other entirety or whole 
than such as B, H, &c. 
When we know of the archetype quantity, having once 
seen it in its full dimensions, then we can easily estimate 
what is the sum of that quantity which is lost to any of 
its proportionals: thus a knowledge of the quantity which 
is metamorphosed is equal to a knowledge of the like 
quantity actually persistent; for if 0, of fig. N, still holds 
serial order with 4, of fig. O, then the former is a propor- 
tional of lost quantity, which may be said to equal the 
existent quantity of the latter; and this is uniformity, and 
the only one which can be possibly established between 
quantities which are created plus in one region of series, 
and minus in another region of the same series, 
Uniformity: can alone characterise the series of arche- 
type or whole figures. Such plus uniformity or unbroken 
order prevails for the series of quantities marked B, H, H, 
L, O, and the proportional variety which, through meta- 
morphosis, those figures can yield, are such as we have 
drawn on either side of them. But whatever be the pro- 
portional variety of the series A, D, G, K,N, or the series 
C, F, 1, M, P, compared with the persistent series B, E, H, 
L, O, it is sufficient that. we know the originals from which 
metamorphosis has planned them as minus quantities. 
Nature is order, even through her law of metamorphosis. 
-The costo-vertebral circle, B, undergoes a metamor- 
phosis* or loss of quantity for the minus designs of A and 
C. This is a fact, and as such it manifests of itself its 
own interpretation. The unity or whole quantity of fig. 
B is subjected to a subtraction of certain elemental parts 
proper to its own plus character, and it is by the loss of 
such elements that figs. A and C are created. We call 
figs. A and C special designs when we compare them with 
each other, or with fig. B: we found this word species 
upon the apparent difformity or imequality of quantity 
proper to each figure; and we mark their several cha- 
racters as distinct, because comparison demonstrates that 
all three are not furnished with the same amount of created 
parts. 
also grant that the name species may be properly founded 
upon this inequality. But still we seek to know whether 
or not these figures A, B, and C, which are created un- 
We grant their mequality as to quantity, and we 
equals, and named as species, merit this name by any 
other consideration or cause save that of subtracted 
quantity. Evidently they do not. For, evidently, fig. B 
is a whole quantity persisting, complete in all its propor- 
tionals, and, as such, may be viewed as capable of furnish- 
ing (by process of metamorphosis) figs. A and C as minus 
quantities. Evidently, also, figs: A and C, as being minus 
quantities to which we affix the name species, refer them- 
selves severally to their own originals or whole quantities,+ 
which may be said to equal the persistent whole of fig. B, 
and therefore species is owing to the loss of quantity. 
This loss of quantity, which renders figs. A and C as 
species compared with fig. B, happens by the fixed order 
Under the operation of this 
law, the parts which persist for figs. A and C retain their 
of the law of metamorphosis. 
own proper character and serial position exactly as we find 
them in fig. B, the whole quantity. And it is equally true 
that the lost parts of figs. A and C have not their proper 
places in serial order occupied by any other dissimilar and 
newly created element. The metamorphosed quantity of figs. 
A or Cis represented in fig. B. Fig. A, a minus quantity, 
stands related to fig. B, just as5 does to 9; for fig. Aisa 
proportional of fig. B just as 5 is of 9, and 5+4=9. This 
idea may be carried through the comparison of all the 
plus and minus quantities figured opposite. And the law 
of form, in which is centred the law of species, will be 
plainly indicated when each minus quantity in series shall 
be. referred to its own archetype or plus quantity, for the 
series of plus forms, B, E, H, L, O, constitute absolute 
uniformity, as containing the proportionals. 
* The harmony of an entire cannot possibly be conceived but in as much as it consists of identical parts, modified by very delicate gradations. 
Related at the basis to each other, those parts appear to-grow various to infinity, to place themselves even in opposition, so far as regards their 
configuration, their destination, and their action. It is thus that Nature creates by the modification of similar organs, and interlaces, one with 
the other, systems the most different, which, however, do not cease to manifest an affinity still. In the meantime, metamorphosis performs for 
two different effects in perfect animals. On the one hand, as we discover in vertebrate forms, the plastic force modifies identical parts after a 
certain plan, and in a manner the most constant—a circumstance which establishes the possibility of a general type ; on the other hand, the parts 
comprised tn this type change continually in all animal species, without, nevertheless, being ever capable of obliterating their common character.” 
—Goethe: see the “ Researches on Comparative Osteology.” 
_ + “Denique multum utilis est in quamplurimis sagacitas queedam in conquirendis et indagandis conformitatibus et similitudinibus physicis.” 
—Bacon, Novum Organum, lib. 2, aph. xxvii. 
t “Quoiqu’il y ait des cas ot l’on observe une sorte de dégradation et de passage Wune espece a (autre qui ne peut étre niée.”’—Cuvier, Le 
Regne Animal, &c., tome 1, page xxi. 
