Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6168 = Sw. I-46 on 21 May 1884 and recorded "eeF; vE; F * at p[receding] end; v diff." There is nothing at his position, and CGCG 109-025, 4' north-northwest of Swift's position, is small and round. When Howe observed the field in 1899-00, he remarked "The "F * at p end" I did not see." His position, though, matches CGCG 109-025.

A more likely candidate, though, is UGC 10434, which is 80 seconds of RA east of Swift's position. This galaxy fits the comment "vE" and has a star at its end, but on the following side. Neither UGC (10434), MCG (+03-42-016) or CGCG (109-028) label this galaxy as NGC 6168, though it is taken as NGC 6168 in the RNGC.

400/500mm - 17.5" very faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 14.5 star is attached at the east end 39" from center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb