On the Occurrence of Ediacarian (?) Dubiofossils in the Narainnagar Formation of Nainital Area, U.P., India

Narainnagar Formation constituting the uppermost part of the Krol Group of Nainital area contains a variety of imprints, some of which are suspect. The frond-like fonns in particular have superficial resemblance with the Ediacarian fossil Charniodiscus but on critical examination reveal features of mechanical nature. The imprints therefore can be classified, at best, as dubiofossils. The small round depressions interpreted earlier as rain drop imprints by some workers and as Beltanelliformis by others might be related to Chauria, if at all they are of organic origin. The attachment disc, though not found in intimate association of the frond-like structures, might prove significant in the interpretation of the forms. Publication of taxonomic classification of the imprints without proving first the organic character is premature.