Chapter VII: Cuvier and the Rise of Comparative Anatomy, 141

The study of internal structure of living beings, at first merely
descriptive, becomes comparative, 141. Belon, 141. Severinus
writes the first book devoted to comparative anatomy in 1645,
143. The anatomical studies of Camper, 143. John Hunter,
144. Personal characteristics, 145. His contribution to progress,
146. Vicq d'Azyr the greatest comparative anatomist
before Cuvier, 146-148. Cuvier makes a comprehensive study
of the structure of animals, 148. His birth and early education,
149. Life at the sea shore, 150. Six years of quiet study and
contemplation lays the foundation of his scientific career, 150.
Goes to Paris, 151. His physiognomy, 152. Comprehensiveness
of his mind, 154. Founder of comparative anatomy, 155. His
domestic life, 155. Some shortcomings, 156. His break with
early friends, 156. Estimate of George Bancroft, 156. Cuvier's
successors: Milne-Edwards, 157; Lacaze-Duthiers, 157; Richard
Owen, 158; Oken, 160; J. Fr. Meckel, 162; Rathke, 163;
J. Müller, 163; Karl Gegenbaur, 164; E.D. Cope, 165. Comparative
anatomy a rich subject, 165. It is now becoming experimental,
165.

CHAPTER VIII

Bichat and the Birth of Histology, 166

Bichat one of the foremost men in biological history. He carried the
analysis of animal organization to a deeper level than Cuvier, 166.
Buckle's estimate, 166. Bichat goes to Paris, 167. Attracts attention
in Desault's classes, 167. Goes to live with Desault, 168.
His fidelity and phenomenal industry, 168. Personal appearance,
168. Begins to publish researches on tissues at the age of
thirty, 170. His untimely death at thirty-one, 170. Influence
of his writings, 170. His more notable successors: Schwann,
171; Koelliker, a striking figure in the development of biology,
171; Max Schultze, 172; Rudolph Virchow, 174; Leydig, 175;
Ramon y Cajal, 176. Modern text-books on histology, 177.