Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy provides an excellent means for examining phase distributions, grain morphologies, and grain contacts within gas-hydrate-bearing samples of both natural and laboratory origin. Here, recovered samples from JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5L-38 are imaged, and comparisons are made between the geometrical arrangement and appearance of the gas hydrate /- ice phase and arrangements, grain contacts, and textures displayed by pure gas hydrate and gas hydrate-sediment aggregates grown and tested in the laboratory. Many gas hydrate /- ice sections in Mallik samples occur as smooth, dense material surrounding isolated macropores, whereas other closely juxtaposed sections display highly mesoporous textures. The possible origins of the mesoporosity are evaluated, and likewise the origin of ice mixed with the gas hydrate, both of which influence interpretations of physical-property measurements. Lastly, the authors image lab-synthesized methane hydrate-quartz aggregates using phase proportions comparable to those displayed by Mallik material from sand intervals, and discuss the implications of strength measurements made on the synthetic samples.