The electronic absorption spectra of the even-numbered carbon molecules C-6-C-14 have been measured in neon matrices. Bare carbon anions were produced in a cesium sputter source, mass selected, codeposited with neon at 6 K, and neutralized. The spectra show, apart from the known (1) (3)Sigma(u)(-)<-- X (3)Sigma(g)(-) transition of linear C-6, C-8, and C-10 in the visible, absorption bands in the UV region. The spectral data when considered in conjunction with ab initio calculations show that the linear forms of C-6 and C-8 have the next strong (2) (3)Sigma(u)(-)<-- X (3)Sigma(g)(-) transition with band maximum near 238 and 277 nm, respectively, whereas the band systems of C-10, C-12, and C-14 at 316, 332, and 347 nm are due to the monocyclic species.