B[E]-STARS - V - HD-50138 = MWC-158

On the basis of spectroscopic CCD material obtained at the Haute Prove nce Observatory, ave provide line identifications and equivalent width measurements in the wavelength region 3738 - 10232 A of the spectrum of HD 50138 Over two hundred features are identified and a comparison of our results with those of other authors is provided. We also discus s the variability of the lines using equivalent widths and description s of the line spectrum. We attribute as a best compromise a spectral t ype of B 5 III. We conclude that the gaseous shell surrounding the sta r has a temperature of the order of 10 000 K and that its distance to the star is of the order of two stellar radii. We discuss the relation of this star to others previously analyzed and warn against hasty gen eralizations.