William Herschel discovered NGC 3549 = H I-220 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919) and recorded "cB, E, 70° np to sf, 3 or 4' long, about 2' br." His position is within 1.5' (typical error) of UGC 6215. A second observation was made two nights later to start sweep 920.

A sketch made on 29 Feb 1868 at Birr Castle shows a curving shape with the comments "Lord R. remarks; - south end much spread out. We were almost certain of the branches given in diagram, n one most decided."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/22/95): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 2.6'x1.0', broad concentration. The ends fade into the background but do not taper giving a boxy impression. Three collinear mag 13.5 stars nearly parallel the galaxy off the SE side. The nearest is 1.7' ESE of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb