Chemical studies leading to the elucidation of the structures of sphingosine, cerebrosides, sphingomyelin, and cerebroside sulphuric acid are reviewed. The general nature of the complex sphingolipides (ganglioside, hematoside, globoside, strandin, polycerebroside) is discussed. Preliminary studies on the nature of the phytosphingosine-containing lipides of corn phosphatides are presented.