Binocular microscopes are very important in studying microshells.  While
a magnifying lens will do in the field, at home the three dimensional
picture of the binocular microscope is best.

In the long run, taking photos of each species is the best plan if you
have the photo equipment needed.  Your detailed photos will beat any
book illustrations, and are very handy to use while searching through
books to find the species.  Particularly true if your memory is poor as
mine.  Constantly refering to a microscope while looking through books
is tiresome.   What is needed is a camera with a replacable lens and a
bellows or extender tubes to place between the camera and lens to get
good magnification.  I prefer the bellows (though the cost is much
higher) as you get just the field you want.  With a 28 mm wide angle
lens reversed in position (by an adapter) and 150 mm of extension tube,
you can get a 4 mm field width.
--
                     Aloha from Wesley M. Thorsson
Editor of Internet Hawaiian Shell News, a monthly Internet Publication
           122 Waialeale St, Honolulu, HI  96825-2020,  U.S.A
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