The equations of motion of an inviscid, infinitely conducting fluid in an electronlagnetic field are transformed into a form s~~i t a b l e for a n action principle. An action principle from which these equations may be derived is found. The conservation laws follo~v from invariance properties of the action. The spacetime invariances lead to the conservation of momentum, energy, angular momentum, and center of mass, while the gauge invariances lead to conservation of mass, a generalization of the Ilel~llholtz vortex theorem of hydrodyan~nics, and the conservation of the volume integrals of A . B and v . B , where A is the vector potential, B is the magnetic induction, and v is the fluid velocity.*From a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy a t the University of British Columbia, October, 1961.thTow a t