Rain-WATER may be looked upon as the purest distilled water, but impregnated during its passage thro' the air with a considerable quantity of phlogistic and putrescent matter; whence it is superior to any other in fertilizing the earth. Hence also it is inferior for domestic purposes to spring or river-water, even if it could be readily procured; but such as is got from spouts placed below the roofs of houses, the common may of procuring it in this country, is evidently very impure, and becomes putrid in a short time.