The E1 and E3transition operators in the sdf-IBA model are discussed. An effective E1 operator containing one- and two-body terms explains very well the E1 data in transitional and rotational nuclei. The E1 parameters for rotational nuclei are obtained by imposing a constraint on the IBA model namely, the validity of Alaga rules for ``pure K`` states. The systematic behavior of the octupole strength is well reproduced using a one-body octupole operator. The anomalously large fragmentation of the low-energy octupole strength in non-rotational nuclei is shown to be a signature of the O(6) dynamical symmetry.
The energy level schemes of Gd and Tb isotopes have been investigated using NORDBALL #gamma# detector. The two-phonon, octupole 12"+ state in "1"4"8Gd has been established from double E3 deexcitation cascade. 9 refs, 15 figs.