Sporosarcina halophila forms endospores. Electron micrographs revealed ultrastructural similarity to spores of S. ureae. Spore germination indicated by loss of refractility, darkening, swelling and formation of new vegetative cells was followed by phase contrast light microscopy. To induce spore germination, the endospores needed to be heat avtivated. After activation, they were inoculated into nutrient broth medium supplemented with sea-water. Double concentrated sea-water was found to be optimal for germination. Similar to other bacterial endospores, the spores were found to be resistant to heat and ethanol. An ultraviolet absorbing substance was isolated from suspensions of free spores; it was identified to be pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (DPA) usually present in bacterial spores. DPA was detected in amounts ranging from 5–7% of the spore dry weight; it was not detected in extracts of vegetative cells.