quantitative determinations from a few profiles. Gamma-ray spectra of equal amounts of soil from different depths were compared directly to arrive at (1) a qualitative evaluation of the vertical distribution of the radionuclides and (2) a semiquantitative estimate of relative amounts of radionuclides at different depths. Gamma-ray spectra were made with a system which included a 3-inch by 3-inch solid,thallium-activated, sodium iodide crystal and a 256-channel analyzer. In addition, selected samples were taken for analyses of the pure betaemitter, sr?? , RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Vertical distribution in relation to soil type is made by comparing young and old soils. young soil, Examples are Kabelle Sand, a (Fig. 2) and Gogan Gravelly Sandy Loam (Fig. 3) and Lomuilal Sand (Pig. 4), old soils. Their characteristics are given in Tables I and III. The young soil has little organic material except that in an algal surface crust about 1 cm thick. Hermit crabs, Coeno- bita perlatus, at the base of a few shrubs, the borrowing ghost erab, Ocypode ceratopthalmia, present. and ants are the main animals Litter accumulation is found only at the bases of the scattered shrubs and is a minor part of this soil system.