John Herschel discovered NGC 4681 = h3421 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded, "pF; S; R; gbM; 15"." His position matches MCG -07-26-046 = PGC 43166. MCG fails to label MCG -07-26-046 as NGC 4681.

300/350mm - 14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 5:4 N-S, ~40"x32", fairly high surface brightness, gradually increases to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. A number of bright stars are scattered in the field: mag 7.8 HD 111073 is 6' NW, mag 8.8 HD 111266 is 10' E, mag 9.2 HD 111019 is 9.2' WNW, a mag 10.2 star is 3' NE and more. In addition a mag 13.8 star is just off the south side [50" from center].

Notes by Steve Gottlieb