ON 2 RECENTLY ANNOUNCED NEW SYMBIOTIC NOVAE

We present low and high dispersion spectrophotometry over the range 33 20-9010 Angstrom of LQ Sgr and Wakuda's peculiar variable in Sgr (WPV) which have been recently proposed to be two new entries in the exclus ive class of very slow and symbiotic novae. LQ Sgr (= Nova Sgr 1897:) is actually a normal Mira variable observed close to maximum brightnes s and not an outbursting object. WPV may indeed be a new symbiotic nov a. The spectrum of the outbursting component more than 1 year after th e onset of the Delta mag>11 outburst is F5 Iab-Ia. There is no evidenc e for mass loss (no P-Cyg profile, very sharp lines and no nebular lin e). The strongest emissions lines are HP, Her and the Ca II infrared t riplet. The large radial velocity indicates partnership with the old s tellar population of the galaxy.