SummaryTwo large satnples of "mixed" rumen bacteria, virtually free from protozoa and feed residues, were prepared from abattoir sheep, one from sheep coming from "green" feed conditions and the other from "dry"-fed sheep.The "true" digestibilities and biological values of the crude protein of these preparations were determined by nitrogen-balance method with young growing rats and compared with "standard" casein. The cyst ( e) ine and methionine contents of the rumen bacteria samples and of "whole" protein preparations made from them were also determined.The average "true" digestibilities of the protein of the "green"-fed and "dry"-fed rumen bacteria were found to be 62.1 and 64.8 respectively. These were not significantly different from each other but very much lower than that obtained for the casein, namely 101.2.The mean biological values found for the "dry"-fed rumen bacterial protein, the "green"-fed rumen bacterial protein, and the casein were 77.9, 79.1=), and 79.6 respectively, when fed as th~ sole source of nitrogen in the ration at levels of 9.2, 9.7, and 9.5 per cent. crude protein (N x 6.25).· The crude protein content of the "green"-fed· bacterial sample was 47.6 per cent. and of the "dry"-fed 50.9 per cent. on the dry basis. These samples and their protein preparations were found to be very similar in cystine content in relation to the total nitrogen present, but the former was appreciably richer in methionine.These findings were compared with those of other workers with similar material, with other microorganisms, and with other sources of protein, and are discussed in relation to the problem of the utilization of microbial protein by the ruminant.It is concluded that judged by results with growing rats, rumen bacterial protein must be r~garded as low in digestibility, relatively high in biological value, but mildly deficient in methionine.