George Claus

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE “ORGANIZED ELEMENTS” IN CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES

Consideration of the fine morphology, physical, and chemical tests, staining with biological stains, and further evaluation of contaminations suggest that the Orgueil, Ivuna, Tonk, and Alais carbonaceous meteorites contain indigenous, organic microstructures that seem to be of biogenic origin. The diagnostic value of morphological criteria is also discussed. (P.C.H.)

STUDIES OF TERRESTRIAL CONTAMINANTS IN METEORITES: PART II. BACTERIOLOGY OF METEORITES*

In a previous paperlo we presented a review of past attempts to ascertain whe ther or not carbonaceous chondrites may contain detectable traces of extraterrestrial life. In the same paper, the identification and quantitation of contaminants found in different samples of the Orgueil, Ivuna, and Murray carbonaceous chondrites and the Bruderheim, Holbrook, and Alamagordo stony meteorites were reported. The stones were investigated and cultured for the growth of PPLO, aerobic bacteria, lower fungi, and algae, and for the germination of pollen pains. No provisions were, however, made for the detection of anaerobic microorganisms. In this paper we will describe our attempts to detect anaerobic bacteria in different meteorites. Before reporting the experimental procedures employed and the results obtained, however, we shall present a review of the past interest in and experimental investigations of the idea that meteorites may contain organisms. Since this theme is inherently related to the question of microbial presence in ancient terrestrial rocks, coals, etc., we shall also deal with the literature devoted to the investigation of this subject.