Contrary to previous descriptions of its properties (Campbell et al., 1966; Postgate and Campbell, 1966) Desulfovibrio africanus was found to be bipolarly flagellate, frequently semi-annular in shape and to contain, in addition to a reported soluble c-type cytochrome, particulate oxido-reducible pigments indicative of b-, c-and d-type cytochromes. It is suggested that the description of D. africanus be revised to include these observations.