These discoveries opened up a wide field. “The power of the pile in decomposing chemical substances was now established.” Dr. Henry employed galvanism for analysis, and Sir Humphrey Davy invented new combinations of substances. He formed a pile of charcoal and zinc, and found out that a pile could consist of only one metal, different fluids being applied to the opposite surfaces separated by water, and one fluid “capable of oxidating the metal, the other of preventing the effect of oxidation.” Soon after a pile was made of charcoal. In 1806, Sir H. Davy gave the results of his researches to the world upon the electro-chemical action of bodies. In the course of his experiments he found out the chemical constituents of the alkalies, and a surprising number of new things were brought to light, and chemical science received a most astonishing ally. Sir W. S. Harris says: “A series of new substances were speedily discovered, the existence of which had never before been imagined. Oxygen, chlorine, and acids were all dragged, as it were, to the positive pole, while metals, inflammable bodies, alkalies, and earths became determined to the negative pole of the (galvanic) battery. When wires connected with each extremity of the new battery were tipped with prepared and well-pointed charcoal, and the points brought near each other, then a most intense and pure evolution of light followed, which on separating the points extended to a gorgeous arc.” So the elements of all bodies were separated and the composition of their compounds closely investigated.