During 1954 staphylococci of a hitherto unrecognized phage type (80) were isolated in increasing numbers from patients in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, where they were also responsible for an outbreak of boils among the staff. The strain was responsible for 19 of 24 outbreaks of neonatal staphylococcal infection in Australia. In many cases it appeared to have unusual virulence and often produced lesions that were distinguishable on clinical grounds from those due to other types. Some 94 per cent. of all the type 80 strains isolated were resistant to penicillin. REO Williams.