Absorption spectra showing transitions to several excited electronic states of C-2n+1(-) (n = 2-5) chains were observed. The spectra were recorded after codeposition of mass-selected anions with neon to form a matrix at 5 K. The assignment follows from mass-selection, the monotonic dependence of the wavelength of the electronic origin band on the number of carbon atoms, photobleaching changes, and spectroscopic considerations. The absorption band systems can be attributed to (2) Pi <-- X (2) Pi. transitions. For C-5(-) two transitions are observed, for C-7(-) three, and for C-9(-) and C-11(-) four.