Quicklime

Quicklime consists of the oxide of calcium, CaO. It forms a white mass which is very infusible, and if heated strongly glows with a bright white light. It is hence used largely for forming the lime cylinders for limelight and for making the furnaces for fusing platinum. It unites with water with great avidity, much heat being evolved by the combination, which results in the formation of slaked lime. Lime is also used for a very great number of technical and ordinary uses too diverse and well known to need enumeration.