  It is shown that $SO(3)$ lattice gauge theory on finite size lattices has
metastable states related to the ground states of both the bulk transition and
the finite temperature transition. The Polyakov line variable in the adjoint
representation of $SU(2)$ is used to trace the origin of these metastable
states. It is also argued that a second order finite temperature transition in
the continuum theory is not inconsistent with the first order transition in
$SO(3)$ lattice gauge theory and the absence of a $Z(2)$ global symmetry.
