During its development the animal passes through all stages of the animal kingdom. The foetus is a representation of all animal classes in time.
Lorenz OkenPhysio-philosophy has to show how, and in accordance indeed with what laws, the Material took its origin; and, therefore, how something derived its existence from nothing. It has to portray the first periods of the world's development from nothing; how the elements and heavenly bodies originated; in what method by self-evolution into higher and manifold forms, they separated into minerals, became finally organic, and in Man attained self-consciousness.
Lorenz Oken