A new, simple and quick method for the isolation of melanosomes from hair has been developed. The hairs were disintegrated by treatment with 1 n NaOH and the melanosomes separated by differential centrifugation. Electron microscopy examination confirmed that the results of this procedure are better than those obtained by any previously described method, both with regard to the purity and the intactness of the separated melanosomes. The methods of Gjesdal and of Bolt have been critically evaluated.