The high resolution field desorption mass spectra of a number of glycosides are described. In all cases the spectra enabled molecular weights and elemental formulae to be established, and the presence of fragment ions due to cleavage of the sugar groups provides considerable assistance in the identification of sugar and aglycone moieties. The [M + 23Na]+ ion was the base peak in the spectrum of the sodium salt of testosterone glucuronide, and the presence [M + 39K]+, [M + 41K]+ and [M + 23Na]+ ions in the spectra of other glycosides are attributed to the presence of their sodium or potassium salts as impurities.