Bacterial counts were generally higher and molds were much more extensive and widely distributed at Paradise Harbor on the Antarctic Peninsula well above the Antarctic Circle, than in areas to the south. Thermophilic bacteria were fou~d only in soils that had been disturbed or contaminated by man and other animals. Mesophilic counts on media made with deioni~ed or sea water, with few exceptions, were in the same range as psychrophiles. Spore-formmg bac~eria were present in regions where contamination had taken place or where birds nested. Dunng the short summer, significant growth response of the soil microflora to organic additives (peptone and glucose) was observed. However, no correlations could be made with physiological and metabolic activity, which showed no measurable increase.