Abstract: Both manual and automated pipetting apparatus for collecting and dispensing controlled amounts of a given specimen are disclosed herein along with their methods of operation. Each of these apparatus utilizes a pipetting device including a stem which carries a replaceable tip and each device is designed so that a tip, once used, can be automatically removed from its associated stem. Each apparatus disclosed also includes a particular arrangement for placing a new tip on a given stem and each utilizes a specific arrangement for collecting used tips and for cleaning certain components of its pipetting device of specimen residue.