In haemolysates of non-nucleated erythrocytes there is an inverse proportion between catalase activity and rate of choleglobin formation on addition of ascorbic acid. In the intact erythrocytes catalase protects haemoglobin against oxidation and further destruction by the hydrogen peroxide generated by the D-amino-acid oxidase system or by physiological concentrations of ascorbic acid and glutathione. Acid destromatization of haemolyzed horse erythrocytes causes a small decrease in the catalase activity and an increased rate of inactivation of the remaining catalase by ascorbic acid. The liberation of copper from haemocuprein is quantitatively insufficient to explain the decreased stability of the catalase. Exposing duck oxyhaemoglobin, but not reduced haemoglobin, to a pH of 5.5 to 5.8, causes an alteration which is apparent from the increase of the rate of choleglobin formation. The mechanism of this alteration is discussed. It partly explains the 'stroma effect', at least in duck erythrocytes. In addition, in the latter, there is a true stroma effect. Choleglobin formation in the presence of ascorbic acid is accelerated by a variety of substances. Some of these perturb haemoglobin, while others increase the formation of hydrogen peroxide from ascorbic acid. The implications of our findings on the mechanism of choleglobin formation and on the role of catalase in the erythrocyte are discussed.