The filaments to which I have refered in numerous posts on "Mars, A Redplanet Roundtable Discussion" were never these tiny microscopic threads. They are the linked chains of apparent multicellular organisms that look similar to algal strands. These were first and best imaged at the rock Stone Mountain, and later at Last Chance, and other locations. These filaments can be seen branching and intertwining in both locations in association with spheres, and were large enough in some cases to be seen with the pancam supporting and apparently attached to spheres in dozens of instances. Unfortunately, for what ever reason, Nasa chose to never make any microscopic images of these extrordinary associations, and never made a single mention of these apparent cellular fossilized filaments. Instead, Nasa has erroniously refered to some of these features as "layering" in citing cases of supposed cross bedding, specifically at Last Chance. I completely dispute their assertion of cross bedding, and have only seen examples of very fine flat lying bedding exposed at different surface angles and including linear intertwined filamentous structures - be they fossil or slimy concretions. These can be easily confused with cross bedding, and often multiple or stereo views are needed to tell the difference. How is it that none of the rocks from Eagle Crater, exposed in all directions, has a planar surface exhibiting ripples? Because there are no ripples. These are deep water sediments with significant, if not dominant, biological input, in my opinion. This would explain why the layers are so fine and linear. I have written a more detailed post of this "anomalous bedding," and if there is any interest I will repost it here. There are other types of filaments (clusters of short, dark, rock hugging filaments) that were imaged by the micro cam at Last Chance that could possibly be currently living lifeforms similiar to lichens. Am I crushed that this single fine thread might be an airbag fiber? Hardly. There are many more incredible features of these soils such as the looping texture that have the experts scratching their heads too.
Donald has refered to me as an Anomalist due to my belief that the spheres and segmented filaments are both fossils. Whatever. I also do not believe that the surface of Mars is "bone dry" as he asserts.