Under the higher resolution available with double pass prism and small grating infrared spectrometers, it has finally been possible to observe splitting of the degenerate fundamentals of benzene in the solid phase. Three components were found for v20 at 1032.6, 1034.7, and 1039.4 cm—1, as predicted by Zwerdling and Halford. These are assigned to the absorptions along the b, c, and a axes, respectively, by a mixed crystal study of benzene-d6 in benzene combined with the polarized work of Zwerdling and Halford. The crystal splitting of v20 was also observed in the benzene-d6 crystal, showing components at 806.5, 808.5, and 812.2 cm—1 assigned to absorptions along the b, c, and a axes, respectively. The magnitudes of the static and correlation fields are thus found to be similar, contrary to the ideas advanced by Zwerdling and Halford, and long accepted intuitively. The effect of temperature on the appearance of the spectrum was studied. An explanation for the changes observed is advanced on the basis of the assignment which is consistent with it, and supports it.