William Herschel discovered NGC 4378 = H I-123 = h1228 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "F, S". CH's reduction is at the south edge of the halo. JH made the single observation "B; visible in strong twilight; has a * 8-9 mag 20° sf dist 3'." Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (single observation) and noted the error in RA in the GC.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, fairly small, very bright core, very slightly elongated. Forms an obtuse angle with mag 9 stars SAO 119386 3.9' N and SAO 119388 3.5' ESE. NGC 4376 lies 49' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb