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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) of Caliper Technologies Corp. pertaining to the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan,
the 1999 Employees Stock Purchase Plan and the 1999 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan, of our report dated January 26, 2001, with respect to the
financial statements of Caliper Technologies Corp., included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California

September 19, 2001