Abstract:During the deformation of plagioclas^, two types of deformation. twin- nino, albit} twinning and periclinc twinning,are produced. Most researchers consider that albitc twirrirg is more readily formed than pericline twin- ring,so the frequency of albite twin is much higher than that of pericline twin. Deformation twinning ds widely developed in Precambrain gneiss of Shizui area, Wutaishan, Shanxi Province. In six of nine samples,the quantity of albite twin is higher than that of pericline twin, the frequency of peric- line being 39%,13%,30%,8%,33% and 12% respectively. The frequency of pericline twin is higher than that of albite twin in the remaining three samples(the frequency of pericline twin being 78%,58%,75% respectively). The deformation temperatures of these 9 samples were determined by defor- mation thermometer of periclirie twinning in plagioclase, being 581℃, 569℃,546℃,514℃,588℃,588℃ respectively for the first six samples,and 672℃,639℃,628℃ for the last three samples.Our work shows that deforma tion temperature plays a key role in controlling the types of deformation twinning. The high temperature favors the formation of pericline twin, while the low temperature the albite twin. According to our data, the temperature boundary is around 600℃.In literature, all samples with high frequency of pericline twin belong to high grade metamorphic rocks of granulito facies or transition zone from amphibolite to granulite facies, suggesting a possible high temperature deformation. This is in accordance with our conclusion. Upon rocks deformed at high temperature are often superimposed low temperature deformation of later stage, which is usually lower than 600℃. Therefore, albite twinning is mainly produced at later stage, and this accounts for the dominance of albite twin in most rock samples.