The inability of blood vessels to relax to acetylcholine is often used as the sole test of endothelial removal. 2. Following blotting of the intimal surface of the rat aorta with filter paper, the tissue did not relax to acetylcholine and the contractions to alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and to the lower concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline, phenylephrine and KCl were enhanced. 3. However the responses to the higher concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline, phenylephrine and KCl were reduced. 4. These results show that blotting with filter paper destroys the endothelium and some smooth muscle.