Nabih,
   You can place tiny specimens in a small, cylindrical vial with cotton to
keep them from rattling around too much. Then you can apply a line of white
enamel paint to the outside of the glass; when the paint dries in a day or
so, write the catalog number on the paint surface in India ink. For really
tiny shells, I use micropaleontology slides. You should be able to find them
on the Web. They have a cardboard base with a recessed area in black with a
numbered grid printed in white. A meat holder and glass slide complete the
ensemble.


>From: Nabih <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Micro Shells
>Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 18:49:20 +0200
>
>Beside collecting micro shells on shores, there is the technique, well
>illustrated by Mr Mifsud, of collecting the weeds & particles retained
>in fishermen's nets, allowing the collection of live shells & the
>determination of the medium they were living in.  The only problem is to
>be allowed to board a trawling ship.
>
>Another technique, well illustrated in books about shells is the
>deep-sea "carotte" specimen, also allowing the determination of the
>living medium of the shells, specialy from the depths.  I think, even, that
>the carotte are sold as is.
>
>I've to admit that I never practised these two techniques but rather
>collected micro shells on the beaches, using a magnifying glass.
>
>Using stack of sieves is, indeed, practical and I should try it, but
>prefer to do it at home or else I will have a queue of onloockers
>staring at me, and perhaps a policeman asking me what am I doing.
>
>My question, at this point, is how to range and mark these tiny creature.
>
>Finaly I have to admit that I was touched by this mail as it reminded me
>of the late Rachel Carson, writer of the first book I red about the sea
>"The Sea Around Us" which was the reason I came to love the sea.
>--
>Nabih <[log in to unmask]>

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