This is one of the metals of theantimony group, and may be obtained as a greyish-white powder. It will decompose water at a tempera ture of about 90 ('., and dues not tarnish in the air. It is insoluble in hydrochloric acid, but dissolves rapidly in nitric acid and slowly in hydrofluoric acid. It burns readily and. in a current of chlorine, takes fire. It has been found in some iron ores, in copper-bearing beds in Cheshire, and in iron slag in Staffordshire. Its symbol is V, and its atomic weight 51.4.