In three series of experiments, Na235so4 was infused into the rumen of sheep consuming a variety of diets. The specific activity of the sulphur in the rumen H2S pool, rumen bacteria and of the S in bacterial cystine were determined. 2. The results showed that, depending upon the diet, the proportion of total sulphur and cystine sulphur in rumen bacteria originating in the rumen H2S pool could be as low as 0-557 and 0-280 respectively.