The action of 'selective' agonists and antagonists at muscarinic receptors mediating ileal contractions, and the rate and force of atrial contractions has been assessed. The effect of nicotinic receptor stimulation, catecholamine release and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) action on muscarinic activity has also been assessed. The nicotinic actions of carbachol did not affect its agonist potency nor the antagonist affinity data obtained when this agonist was used in atrial and ileal preparations. Antagonist data indicated that muscarinic receptors mediating the rate and force of atrial contractions did not differ. Differences in agonist potencies at these two muscarinic receptors were attributable to either differences in intrinsic efficacy or susceptibility to the action of acetylcholinesterase. The small differences in agonist potency observed between atrial and ileal muscarinic receptors were considered not sufficient to indicate receptor heterogeneity. The pirenzepine affinity data indicated that all three receptors are of the M2 type. Affinity data using secoverine and 4-diphenyl-acetoxy-N-methyl piperidine methiodide indicated that ileal and atrial muscarinic receptors differ. Data obtained using gallamine, pancuronium and stercuronium cannot be regarded as indicative of receptor affinity since the antagonism is not competitive; it did nonetheless corroborate the conclusion that ileal and atrial muscarinic receptors are different.