4j6 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



diffusible with lime, and nearly of the same specific 

 gravity, the tendency which lime has to sink downwards, 

 cannot be accounted for simply on mechanical principles. 



In lands of this description, under the plough, the 

 lime is dispersed or mixed with the soil, until such time 

 as these lands are laid down with grass seeds. After re- 

 maining in this situation at rest for a certain number of 

 years, on breaking up, a floor of calcareous matter will 

 frequently be found lying immediately beneath the roots of 

 the grass. This effect, contrarily to the general opinion 

 of its being disserviceable, is of great utility, as the staple 

 or depth of the soil is always increased and rendered less 

 retentive of water in proportion to the distance which the 

 lime penetrates downwards ; and thus by increasing the 

 depth of the soil a greater scope is afforded for the ex- 

 pansion of the roots and nourishment of vegetables. 

 These effects of lime in soils, except in those that are 

 gravelly or sandy, cannot be accounted for simply on 

 mechanical principles, but may probably be explained on 

 such as are chemical. 



Lime 



