Note 19 — Chapter XVI · ZINC, CADMIUM, AND MERCURY

This salt easily forms the crystallo-hydrate HgNO3,H2O, corresponding with ortho-nitric acid, H3NO4 (the terms ortho-, pyro-, and meta-acids are explained in the chapter on Phosphorus), with the substitution of Hg for H. In an aqueous solution this salt can only be preserved in the presence of free mercury, otherwise it forms basic salts, which will be mentioned hereafter (Chapter VI., Note 59).