What does a dark, tarry and pasty stool look like?

Just as U described: Dark-colored stools may result from iron supplements, foods you eat (like a lot of spinach), substances (like peptobismol), but most significantly suggests bleeding. When blood is denatured by acid in your stomach, as from ulcers, stools will turn tarry ("melena"). Blood may also be ingested from nose bleeds, bleeding gums... Persistent melena (without obvious cause) & symptoms warrants md visit.