Panel Discussion: Identity of "Organized Elements" 615 



mentioned that magnesium sulfate in the meteorite in New York is MgS04- 

 4H2O; in Chicago it is MgS04- 7H2O. This would only show how the environ- 

 ment can effect the "organized elements." 



J. D. Bernal: He mentioned that the Orgueil sample in the Bombay Mu- 

 seum in India fell to a fine dust because of the humidity. 



W. G. Meinschein: The hydrocarbon distribution in Orgueil resembled 

 biogenic hydrocarbons in Recent marine sediments. Mass spectra showed 

 that these hydrocarbons could not have been contaminated by accident, much 

 less by intent. The hydrocarbon concentrations were above Recent sediment 

 concentration levels. 



B. Mason: This discussant was of the opinion that the organic matter in 

 Orgueil was clearly indigenous, but that one must prove that it was not formed 

 by inorganic processes. 



W. G. Meinschein: It was emphasized by Meinschein that 23 saturated 

 hydrocarbon compounds had been identified. The parent sterol hydrocarbons 

 were present and the aromatic hydrocarbons were those which are found in 

 Recent sediments. Clearly, he believed, they were of biogenic origin. 



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