Potassium

—A bright, silvery white metal, of a specific gravity of.875, melting at 155° Fahr. It oxidizes very readily, so has to be kept submerged in naphtha, which contains no oxygen. Being lighter than water, it floats when thrown into that liquid, at the same time decomposing it, forming pota ium hydrate, and liberating part of the hydrogen of the water. he chemical action is so violent, that this escaping hydrogen ignites, burning with a lavender colored flame.