Some were condensing air into a dry tangible substance, by extracting the nitre, and letting the aqueous or fluid particles percolate; others softening marble, for pillows and pin-cushions; others petrifying the hoofs of a living horse, to preserve them from foundering.

一些人通过提取硝并让水性或流体颗粒渗透，将空气凝结成燥的有形物质；其他软化大理石，用于枕头和针垫；其他人石化一匹活马的，防止它们沉没。