How does the development of an embryo provide clues to the evolution of present day organisms?

you did not attach the discourse, but i assume it to be the discourse on the origin and basis of inequality among men (the original titile in french is: "discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes"), also know as "second discourse". in this discourse, jean-jacques rousseau emphasizes that private property is the basis of all inequalities.

therefore, what enabled the old regime to maintain as long as it did was private property.

volcanoes (an event in the geosphere) release a large amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere. these particles serve as nuclei for the formation of water droplets (hydrosphere). rainfall (hydrosphere) often increases following an eruption, stimulating plant growth (biosphere).