DURING an investigation of bacteria isolated from blocks of whale meat, two distinct strains of paracolon bacteria (Blx, urease-positive; and C6, urease-negative) were obtained, the sugar metabolism of which was interesting. Tested in the normal way with Durham tubes, these organisms produced acid from lactose within 5–12 days at 30° C. and were accordingly recorded as late lactose fermenters. Tested by Hugh and Leifson's1 method, both strains fermented cellobiose, maltose, sucrose, trehalose, galactose, glucose, mannitol and sorbitol, producing acid and gas anaerobically within 48 hr. at 30° C. Lactose, melibiose and glycerol, however, were not fermented but oxidized, that is, acid was produced from these sugars within 48 hr. under aerobic conditions only.