SummaryThe ultraviolet absorption spectra of the oils obtained from lespedeza seeds of three species show an absorption similar to that of linseed oil. The spectra for the alkali isomerized lespedeza seed oils show triene conjugation equivalent to that which would be produced by the presence of 22–28% of a triunsaturated nonconjugated acid (such as linolenic acid) and 26–42% of a diunsaturated nonconjugated acid (such as linoleic acid). The presence of conjugated triene structure in the oil as extracted from a seed‐hull mixture ground with stainless steel balls was indicated by an absorption maximum at 270 mµ. Elimination of other possibilities suggest that this absorption is caused by a metal‐catalyzed isomerization or other reaction taking place only in the mixture.