Abstract: A sample leveling device is described, for use in high speed liquid sampling systems, which comprises an insert cup capable of being removably located inside the open end of a liquid sampling tube, the cup being so shaped that, upon full or partial inversion of the tube and cup assembly from a datum position in which the open end of the tube is uppermost, the cup receives liquid held in the tube and retains the liquid when the tube is returned to its original position. The insert cup is so shaped that when it is inserted into a sampling tube its lower closed portion is offset from the line of travel a sampling probe would follow when sampling blood from the sampling tube. It is convenient to arrange the center-line of the insert cup co-axial or near co-axial with the center-line of the sampling tube into which the insert cup will be inserted.