William Herschel discovered NGC 3681 = H II-159 = h891 = h3343 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 198) and recorded "pB, S, bM, rather too large to be called stellar." His position is 18 sec of RA west of UGC 6445. JH made three observations at Slough (measuring an accurate position) and one at the Cape of Good Hope.

300/350mm - 13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, round, brighter core, stellar nucleus. On a line with two stars mag 11 and 12 3.0' NE and 4.7' NE. First of four in the NGC 3686 group with NGC 3684 14' NNE, NGC 3691 24' ENE and NGC 3686 28' NE.

600/800mm - 24" (5/27/17): bright, fairly large, roundish, contains a relatively large brighter core which is sharply concentrated with an intensely bright nucleus. A string of 3 stars extends to the ENE of the galaxy, the last is an uneven double [~7" separation]. First in a bright quartet (part of the LGG 237 group) with NGC 3684 14' NE, NGC 3686 28' NE and NGC 3691 24' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb