A demountable water-cooled hollow-cathode lamp has been investigated as a primary source in atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The discharge current ranged from 300 to 500 mA, and the flowing argon pressure between 0.4 and 4 mbar. Sensitivities ranging from 0.03 to 2 μg ml were obtained for 12 elements. The performances of the hollow-cathode lamp and those of the customary metal vapour discharge lamps for thallium, indium and gallium are compared. The role of the narrowness of the exciting lines in increasing the signal-to-scattering ratios is stressed. © 1969.