DERIVATION.--Melt silver nitrate, 30 parts, with potassium nitrate, 60
parts, in a crucible at as low a temperature as possible. Mix and cast
into suitable moulds.
PROPERTIES.--A white, hard, solid, generally in the form of pencils or
canes of a finely granular fracture; becoming gray or grayish-black on
exposure to light in the presence of organic matter; odorless, having a
caustic, metallic taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.