[ 434 - ] 
In a few weeks after the time above-mentioned, 
I took an opportunity of fending this fhell to Sir 
john pringle, who {hewed it at a meeting of 
the Society ; but, as he has been pleafed to inform 
me, fome of the members could not bring them- 
felves to believe, but that Mr. simon mud have 
fuffered himfelf to be impofed on by his fon, who, 
as they imagined, fubftituted frefh fhells, for thofe 
which he had got out of the cabinet. 
When Sir john pringle acquainted me with 
this difficulty, I wrote to Mr. simon, and that pro- 
duced his letter of the 4th of February. I after- 
wards alfo examined the boy myfelf 3 and could 
find no reafon to believe, that he either did, or 
could impofe on his father. 
Mr.tiMON is a merchant of this place, of a very 
reputable character, and undoubted veracity. 
He lives in the heart of the city, a circumftance 
which rendered it almoft impoffible for the fon 
(if he had been fo difpoled) to collect freffi fhells. 
The father of Mr. stuckey simon was Mr. james 
simon, a Fellow of the Royal Society 3 who, 
being a lover of Natural Hiftory, as well as an 
Antiquarian, made a little collection of foffils, 
which is ftill in the fon’s poffeffion, and contains 
fome articles that are rather uncommon. 
Should Mr. simon’s letters be inferted in the 
Tranfa&ions, they will no doubt be the means of 
exciting Naturalifts to enquire into the extent of 
vitality in the lower orders of animals. 
I am, dear Sir, your moft obedient, 
and very humble fervant, 
DAVID MACBRIDE. 
Mr*. 
