William Herschel discovered NGC 4196 = H II-374 = h1136 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, S." His position is 20 sec of time too far west and 3' too far north but JH made 4 observations and d'Arrest provided a micrometric position, so the NGC is accurate.

400/500mm - 18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.35', fairly well concentrated. Higher surface brightness than larger NGC 4185 16' WNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb