Discover over 500 species of sea shell from around the world with this pocket visual guide This comprehensive handbook combines authoritative text and crystalclear photography bringing to light the planets most spectacular shells. Packed with more than 600 fullcolor photographs this handy reference book cuts through the complexities of identification helping you to recognise more than 500 species of sea shell.Learn about the distinguishing characteristics of different shell species where they came from and how they came to look the way they do. For shell collecting beginners and conchology enthusiasts alike this concise and portable guide will turn your next beach walk into an eyeopening journey of discovery Handbook of Shells is filled with all you need to know about shell collecting and identification Inside youll find Jargonbook profiles of each shell supported by stunning photographs A shell identification key of every major group making recognition easier than everPractical instructions explaining how to start clean identify and display a shell collectionDistribution maps illustrating the geographical range of each species Ataglance key facts to impress your friends Practical oceanology for all ages Have you ever wondered how such delicate shells are churned out of the worlds raging oceans Now you can not only learn about our planets most stunning sea shells but also collect your ownHandbook of Shells is expertly written and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution providing the most up to date scientific information on shell classification.