  The role of carbon stars in the build-up of chemical elements in galaxies is
discussed on the basis of stellar evolution calculations and estimated stellar
yields, abundance analyses of AGB stars, galactic-evolution models and
abundance trends among solar-type disk stars. We conclude that the AGB stars in
general, and carbon stars in particular, probably are main contributors of
$s$-elements, that their contributions of flourine and carbon are quite
significant, and that possibly their contributions of lithium, $^{13}$C and
$^{22}$Ne are of some importance. Also contributions of N, Na and Al are
discussed. The major uncertainties that characterize almost any statement
concerning these issues are underlined.
