ANCIENT METAZOA

''Problematic bedding-plane markings'' from the Appekunny Formation, d escribed more than a decade ago, are now considered biogenic structure s. Recent examination of these structures prompted a search for eviden ce of ancient metazoans in that formation. The results are not conclus ive, yet some bedding-plane structures collected may be body fossils a nd others, trace fossils; they are not readily explained as nonbiologi c sedimentary structures. Some of these structures could result from t he activities of bacteria and algae. Confirmation of the animal origin of any of these obscure traces would effectively double the age of Me tazoa on Earth.