Lankester announces his resignation from the Chair of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, citing peculiar conditions of candidature and competition, and previously undisclosed teaching duties as reasons for not accepting the post.

Lankester states that, following the resignation of Charles Wyville Thomson, Professor of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, he is to prepare a book of testimonials and requests that Ewart writes in favour of him.

Lankester thanks Ewart for his congratulations upon gaining the Professorship of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh. He suggests they should arrange a meeting, as 'there are schemes in the air which we must keep an eye on'.

Lankester announces his resignation from the Chair of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, and states that he will be staying at University College London. He gives the main reasons for his resignation as 'ten months are required in Edinburgh instead of three as I supposed, and that there are no laboratories nor a museum, nor likely to be for many years to come' and that the Executive Commission 'may reduce the value of the post to any extent.'

Ashworth congratulates Ewart on his 80th birthday on behalf of the staff of the Zoology Department at the University of Edinburgh, and hopes that Ewart's investigations on the structure and evolution of the feathers are progressing well.

Quain congratulates Ewart on the news of his professorship at the University of Edinburgh. He offers Ewart advice on the 'art' of delivering a lecture, stressing the importance of elocution and the use of language.

Fleming writes to inform Ewart that the University Court have decided that accommodation should be provided for the Department of Zoology on the University site at West Mains Road.

Contains drafts and typescripts of lectures, usually annotated with where and when the lecture was delivered. Also present are notices of meetings and programmes from events. Unless otherwise noted, authorship of the lectures is credited to R.A. Beatty.