Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2663 = Sw. III-40 on 8 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory in New York. His position is 2.6' south of ESO 371-014. This is probably the brightest galaxy (V = 10.9) discovered by Swift and the most southerly!

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 2.2'x1.5', contains a prominent core which is evenly concentrated down to a non-stellar nucleus. Located in rich star field. Several stars are within 5' including a mag 14 star 1.2' N of center and a mag 11.5 star 3.8' NW of center. Located 5.7' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb