1319. There are various other compounds of lime which are found in particular soils. Amongst these is the nitrate of lime, a white salt, easily soluble in water and readily formed by acting on lime or its carbonate by nitric acid. It is also formed whenever organic matters containing nitrogen are suffered to putrefy in contact with lime; when annual manure and lime are left together, nitrate of lime is formed; the same salt is frequently found in the mortar of old walls, particularly those of stables and similar outhouses. When mixed with a solution of carbonate of potash, both salts are decomposed. Muriate of lime is formed from lime and muriatic acid, and is remarkable for its great attraction for water. It exists in sea water, and consequently is often found in common salt. A small quantity of this salt appears to be formed by the action of lime on common salt. Mixed with a solution of carbonate of ammonia, both salts are decomposed, chalk and muriate of ammonia being formed; this is remarkable, because those two salts, when mixed together dry and heated, form muriate of lime and carbonate of ammonia.
