Note the dark grains on the surface of this rock. Everyone just "blows this off" as dust. I however, see serious problems with this interpretation. This is a near vertical surface. Presumably, this "dust" is adhering by static forces. That would explain why there are no larger particles. That cannot, however, explain the dearth of smaller particles. The size distribution of these spherical or hemispherical particles is very narrow, and has no large, and very few small particles. If this was some static clinging or otherwise adherent dust, then it should be even more predominant in the recesses such as are present lower down in the photo, and should have a predominance of small grains. This is not the case. Instead, what is seen is a spatial and size distribution that could much more readily be explained by living processes such as growth forms, photosynthesis or nutrient limitations.

No doubt most of you will guffaw (or worse) at this proposition, but I have seen repeated evidence of possible surficial life forms in the images from the Rovers. Every one of the significant surveys done by the micro cam has shown highly unusual features that are difficult to explain away as dust or mineral fragments. The "Last Chance" survey showed clusters of dark hemispherical particles in unlikely places, such as on overhangs, or forming rings around small protrusions. The survey of "Bounce" showed many fine hairlike strands strewn across the lower surfaces of this rock, which very few people even commented on.

I invite your criticisms and alternative explanations for the unusual distribution of dark particles seen here. They have a limited size range, and occur predominantly along exposed areas of the rock, the least likely sites of wind deposition, and are absent in most of the small recesses.