Characters. - Thin, apple-green, transparent scales, permanent in dry air when excluded from light, but turning dark on exposure to light. Odourless, having an acidulous, slightly saline taste, and a slightly acid reaction.

Solubility. - Very soluble in water.

Reactions. - When heated with solution of potassa in excess a brown-red precipitate is thrown down, and the nitrate, after being supersaturated with acetic acid, yields a white precipitate with test solution of nitrate of silver (difference from phosphates).

Dose. - 2 to 5 gr. (0.13 to 0.33 gm.).

Uses. - Has no disagreeable taste, and is very soluble, so that it can be given in any form.