morphological connections:

the point on the Culture’s lifecycle can be used to extrapolate a culture’s characteristics (political, economic, social) & provide a trust worthy image of that particular Culture’s features regardless of the survival of other supporting artefacts or documentary evidence.

​

palaeontology:

the study of fossils to determine the structure and evolution of extinct animals & plants, and the age & conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found.

 

physiognomic rhythm [physiognomic pattern]:

outward appearances, symbols, will offer deep insight into historical character & nature even if the evidence is fragmented & incomplete

Goethe's prime phenomenon: * see Endnote 48

A great deal of Spengler’s historical methodology is based on Goethe’s approach to science.  When one discusses Goethe, his literary fame eclipses his work as a scientist, but in fact he did make serious contributions to the scientific community of knowledge, in 3 areas: botany,  physics (light), and zoology (his discover of the os intermaxillare- see page 111, Endnote 37).

​

comparative zoology: * see Endnote 49

the study of animal life is dates back to the ancients but its scientific incarnation in the West is modern.  At the start of the 19th century natural history (rather than biology) dominated the scientific community; it tended towards observation rather than experimental approaches.