Upper part of the "Great Chain of Being" or Scala Naturae, as published in 1745 by Charles Bonnet

A popular version of the Scala Naturae, which was published in 1779 by the Swiss naturalist Charles Bonnet (1720-1793). At the base of this version of the "Great Chain of Being" are non-living objects such as minerals and earth, followed by plants, insects, reptiles and mammals. On top of this "natural ladder" we find the "Orang-Outang," followed by "L'Homme" (man). On the right side is the title page of the most influential book of Jean Lamarck (1744-1829) and his tree-like scheme of 1809.