. The metallic element sodium as met with in commerce. It should be preserved in well-stoppered bottles under mineral naphtha.

Characters. - A soft metal, rapidly oxidising in the air, but showing a bright metallic surface when freshly cut.

Reactions. - It attacks water or alcohol, with evolution of hydrogen gas, little or no insoluble matter remaining. Twenty-three grains, cautiously dissolved in water, require for neutralisation at least 975 grain-measures of the volumetric solution of oxalic acid.

Preparation. Liquor Sodii Ethylatis.