Microfossils from late Precambrian sediments around lake Mjøsa, Southern Norway.

Abstract

Microfossils extracted with ordinary palynological methods from the Biskopås conglomerate (Biri-conglomerate) and the Biri-shale of the late Precambrian age in Southern Norway are described. Two principle categories of spherical bodies occur: 1)spherical masses entirely composed of minute \"cells\" and 2) spherical shells of simple or composite membranes: They are further divided into sic provisional forms (designated A-F) by their micro-structures. Certain forms occur united into clusters suggestive of a reproduction by budding. The natural affinities of the fossils remain problematic. However, there is some evidence from thin-sections of the source material to suggest that bodies of category 1 may be \"spores\" produced by unicelluar organisms roughly half a millimetre in diameter.