SynopsisDiffusion of some homologous series of solutes [polyhydric alcohols, oligosaccharides, poly(ethy1ene oxide) polymers] has been studied in cellulose gels (<20% w/w) and membranes (<60% w/w) and the same materials when acetylated. It was found that (1) The molecular weight dependence of D approximates that for the solutes in water alone; the activation energies are also identical to the value for diffusion in pure solvent. (2) The presence of the cellulose chains reduces the rate of diffusion to a degree which is approximately given by the Mackie-Meares equation. (3) Exclusion is pronounced, particularly with the acetylated membranes, and gives a high degree of molecular size discrimination by a sieving mechanism. The membranes have a very narrow range of "pore" sizes, whereas the gels have a contrastingly broad distribution.