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Photographic gallery.  Thousands of particles under the microscope.

Barbed Particles

This is part of a guide to the identification of particles seen in samples of free particles. This file includes elongated particles that have barbs along their length. Click on the image that most closely fits what you see to see similar examples that may more closely fit the particle you are trying to identify.

Isotropic

These are isotropic particles that have barbs along their length. Silica phytoliths are the most common members of this group but it also includes some sponge spicules and arachnid setae.

Phytolith Under the Microscope Sponge Spicule Under the Microscope Mite Setae Under the Microscope
Silica Phytolith . . . . . . . . Sponge Spicule . . . . . . . . Mite Setae

Anisotropic

These particles are bright between crossed polarizing filters (Anisotropic) and that have barbs along their length. Insect fibers, bird feather barbules, and plant hairs are the most common members of this group.

Carpet Beetle Larva Hair Carpet Beetle Larva Hair Insect Hair Insect Hair
Carpet Beetle Larva Hair
(Click here for more images of insect hairs.)

Bird Feather Barbule Bird Feather Barbule Bird Feather Barbule

(Click here for more images of bird feather barbules.)

Thistle Down Verbascum thapsus Hair

(Click here for more images of Plant Hair.)