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   52157
   Recent HST observations show that only ~20% of LINERs have a point-like
   nuclear UV continuum source indicative of an AGN as the origin of the
   line excitation source in these objects. The remaining 80% may be
   highly obscured UV sources, extended starburst regions or "fossil"
   nebulae. We propose to continue our program to observe with ASCA the
   "undetected" LINERs whose H_alpha flux is similar to that of the
   detected AGN-like LINERs to determine whether they have a hard x-ray
   spectrum indicative of the presence of an AGN. The ASCA AO4 observation
   of one of these sources, NGC 4438, has shown that its X-ray properties
   are markedly different to those of a typical AGN. Observations of
   additional sources in this sample is necessary to establish the true
   nature of LINERs.
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