Cuvier in the introduction discusses the essence of the natural sciences as "making the mutual influence of every being perceptible in all its parts" (Cuvier, 4). Cuvier is able to demonstrate that natural history is an indispensable part of natural philosophy and can successfully reveal the laws of nature. In making this statement Cuvier argues that natural history plays a scientific and equal role in discovering the system of natural sciences compared to more empirical methods such as dynamics or chemistry. These empirical forms are capable of establishing laws through calculation or experiments where natural history is based on observation. He shows that each of these forms is powerful in its own right but fails when attempting to explain all of natural science. Cuvier explains that each science addresses natural philosophy in an individual but unitary way. Each branch of science analyzes a philosophical question to arrive at a greater understanding. This is often done by experimenting or breaking it into parts and calculating their relationship and balance. You cannot experiment in an open system without upsetting its dynamics, just as you cannot explain equilibrium in a vast and complicated system through calculation. The study of natural history cannot always dissect its topics as dynamics and chemistry do because in their parts the topics no longer work. In these absences, natural history systematically observes and describes to fully understand the general laws. While observation and description appear to be less scientific ways of understanding, Cuvier argues that they have their place. Cuvier argues that this method must be systematic and natural. While some like John Ray argue that the king...... middle of paper...... habitat. Through this process of observation and comparison one can arrive at a true philosophical understanding of nature. In combination with the general laws of physics or chemistry, natural history helps produce a coherent understanding of the system of nature. Cuvier shows that a philosophical understanding of nature cannot be achieved by calculation, experimentation or observation alone, each of these methods plays an important role. important role in formulating general laws that govern nature. Natural history cannot afford the luxury of being able to dissect its subjects while still preserving their function and therefore must rely on observation. Although observation may seem like a less scientific tool, general rules and relationships can be deduced from comparing observations. Through the systematic use of comparison one can arrive at a natural philosophical truth.