Abstract: A method for rapid intermittent sampling of a fluid stream is disclosed. It comprises forming a jet of a part of the stream, diverting the flow of the jet along a first path positioned at an angle to the axis of the jet by forming a pressure differential across the width of the jet, the pressure being lower in the direction of the first path, intermittently redirecting the flow of the jet to a second path by reducing the pressure differential, and sampling the fluid stream when the jet is redirected to the second path.