Addition of adenosine (10-7 to 10-4 M) to the tear side of isolated corneas (Rana catesbeiana) produced a rapid, sustained increase in short-circuit current, potential difference, and radioisotopic chloride net flux. The increased net chloride flux accounted for the increased short-circuit current. Adenosine, a known activator of adenyl cyclase in other tissues, exerted its effects on chloride transport through a receptor different from the one described for epinephrine and prostaglandins in the corneal epithelium. Propranolol inhibited the epinephrine response but not the adenosine effect. Dipolyphloretin phosphate inhibited prostaglandin responses but did not affect the adenosine stimulation of chloride transport. Adenine and/or ribose, parts of the adenosine molecule, had no stimulatory effect, but 5'-AMP had a partial effect. The activation of the chloride pump with DBcAMP blocked the response to adenosine. Adenosine interacted with the effects of theophylline. Adenosine, a naturally occurring molecule, stimulated chloride transport by activation of adenyl cyclase through a separate membrane receptor in the corneal eqithelium.