Abstract
SEVERAL organically preserved microbiotas in cherts of Pre-Cambrian age have been described during the past few years1–10, some with structures such as cell walls and intracellular organelles intact8,9. Pyrite and/or haematite replacement of possible Pre-Cambrian microorganisms, with loss of structural detail, has also been reported10,11. Crystals of pyrite 5–10 microns in diameter and closely spaced along organic filaments “resembling a string of beads” are known from the Gunflint Iron Formation of Ontario, Canada10. “Chains of cells”, which our preliminary examination suggests are haematite crystals, were reported from the Belt “series” of Montana11. We here describe similar crystalline chains interpreted as biological in origin from the late Pre-Cambrian Beck Spring Dolomite of southern California.
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