Cobalt

Co. At. wt. 58.53, sp. gr. 8.9, sp. ht. 0.11. Discovered by Brandt 1742. It occurs in nature as cobaltite and smaltite, and is prepared by igniting the oxide with carbon. It is a reddish-white metal, of strong luster, tenacious, difficultly fusible; attracted by the magnet. Somewhat soluble in hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, readily in nitric acid. It forms two cla es of compounds-cobaltous and cobaltic.