The anterior intestine of the gastropodAchatina fulicagenerated a small serosa‐negative potential which ranged from 1.0 to 7.5 mV when bathed in normal salinein vitro.The associated short‐circuit current averaged 75μA/cm2.The electrical potential does not depend on K+, Mg2+, Ca2+or Na+but requires Cl‐on the mucosal side. The electrical gradient is reduced by furosemide, cyanide, 2,4‐dinitrophenol and anoxia but not by ouabain. The transmural potential difference and short‐circuit current were predominantly dependent upon aerobic metabolism. However, a finite residual electrical component was dependent upon glycolytic energy. It is suggested that the role of active chloride transport across the intestinal epithelium may be to facilitate fluid absorption from the lumen into the haemolymph.