Name       : Osmium
Symbol     : Os
Atomic #   : 76
Atom weight: 190.2
Melting P. : 3054
Boiling P. : 5027
Oxidation  : +3, +4
Pronounced : OZ-mi-em
From       : Greek, osme, "odor"
Identified : Smithson Tennant in 1803
Appearance : Blue-white, lustrous, hard metal
Note       : The oxides of osmium emit highly toxic gasses
             
[Properties]

  Osmium is a tough, lustrous metal that takes on a slight blush color as
a thin film of the oxide forms on the exposed surfaces. Powdered osmium
emits the telltale odor of the deadly poison, osmium tetroxide.
  Osmium is one of the Group-VIII elements. Its chemistry and history are
closely associated with platinum (Pt) and even more with iridium (Ir).
Notice that all three of these elements - osmium, iridium, and platinum -
are Group-VIII elements that are lined up in the same series on the
periodic table.