“PURE” WATER.

Apropos of the story which recently appeared in these columns of the decomposing body of an alligator being found in a water main, a correspondent of a London contemporary quotes the case of a “servant girl from the country who, on being asked her reason for wishing to leave a good situation in London, replied that she could not abide the London water—there was neither taste nor smell in it.” It also recalls to his mind a case which came tinder bis notice some years ago. “I was in the water supply department of a firm of engineers (he writes). We were called in to advise on the supply to a country house, the water for which was drawn from a well nearly 303 feet deep in the chalk, and which ought therefore to have been quite pure. On analysis, however, it proved to be badly contaminated with organic matter. The well was cleaned out, on my advice, and about ten feet of filth, including a large quantity of bones, was removed. I remarked that no doubt the hones came from some animal that had fallen down, and was told, ‘Oh, yes. some years ago there was a pig and a sheep that we know of fell down; but. as the well was rather deep, the tenant didn’t trouble to get them up,’ and evidently went on drinking the water!’”