M2-9 is not a bona fide planetary, nor simply a star: it most probably is a planetary nebula in the formative stages. High densities, the presence of [01], Fell and [Fell] emission lines, and prominent infrared continua are characteristic of such objects. There is a striking progression of their spectra from B[e] stars such as HD45677 to M2-9 itself; Merrill's class of objects intermediate between Be stars and planetary nebulae is represented e.g. by MWC 645, HD 51585, V 1016 Cygni, HM Sagittae, and MIVC 349. Remarkable similarities exist between the spectra of the latter objects and that of M2-9, especially in the recently covered region between 8000 and 11000 Å which is rich in emission lines of the Paschen series, of Hel, 01, [SIII], Fell and [Fell] (Andrillat and Swings, 1977, in preparation).