d by Cuvier and von Baer upon
the transcendentalists and their recapitulation theory might with equal
justice be applied to the phylogenetic speculations which were based on
the biogenetic law. There was the same tendency to fix upon isolated
points of resemblance and disregard the rest of the organisation. Thus,
on the ground of a presumed analogy of certain structures to the
vertebrate notochord, several invertebrate groups, as the Enteropneusta,
the Rhabdopleura, the Nemertea, were supposed to be, if not ancestral,
at least offshoots from the direct line of vertebrate descent. And if
other points of resemblance could in some of these cases be discovered,
yet no successful attempt was made to show that the total organisation
of any of these forms corresponded with that of the Vertebrate type.
With the possible exception of the Ascidian theory, all the numerous
theories of vertebrate descent suffered from this irremediable defect,
and none carried complete conviction.

In spite of the efforts of the evolutionists, as of those of the
transcendentalists, the phyla or "types" remained distinct, or at best
connected by the most general of bonds.

The close affinity of transcendentalists and evolutionists is shown very
clearly in their common contrast in habits of thought with the Cuvierian
school. It is the cardinal principle of pure morphology that function
must be excluded from consideration. This is a necessary and unavoidable
simplification which must be carried out if there is to be a science of
pure form at all. But this limitation of outlook, if carried over from
morphology to general biology becomes harmful, since it wilfully ignores
one whole side of life--and that the most important. The functional
point of view is clearly indispensable for any general understanding of
living things, and this is where the Cuvierian school has the advantage
over the transcendental--its principles are applicable to biology in
general.

Geoffroy and Cuvier in pre-evolutionary times well typified the contrast
between the formal and the functional standpoints. For Geoffroy form
determined function, while for Cuvier function determined form. Geoffroy
held that Nature formed nothing new, but adapted existing "materials of
organisation" to meet new needs. Cuvier, on the other hand, was always
ready to admit Nature's power to form entirely new organs in response to
new functional requirements.

The evolutionists followed Geoffroy rath