Positiveion methane chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra were obtained for seven underivatized tricyclic amines: amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, cyclobenzaprine and cyproheptadine. Some discrepancies in previously reported spectra were noted. Spectra of protriptyline, cyclobenzaprine and cyproheptadine are reported for the first time. Comparisons are made among the CI spectra and with electron ionization spectra, and relative abundances of major CI ions among the seven compounds are rationalized in terms of substituent and geometric effects.In most cases low-mass iminium ions from anion abstraction were more abundant than IMH]'. Hydride abstraction and adduct formation with reagent-gas ions were important. The three heterocyclic amines gave abundant W ) ' ' by electron transfer. Protonation at the nitrogen atom on the side chain followed by amine elimination gave tricyclic aromatic fragment ions.