162 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



somewhat pointed, inserted for steadiness into a block of 

 wood, generally cylindrical, or very slightly shaped. The 

 upper end, about an inch in length, formed, with another 

 piece of iron moving on a pivot, the jaws or nippers to 

 hold the rush, the necessary pressure being given by a 

 bent lever and weight at the other end. In a development 

 of this the weight was formed into a ring or socket, which 

 serves also to hold a candle (fig. 55). In general, however, 

 this ring is deepened and the bottom closed. The total 

 height of the holders was generally from nine to twelve 

 inches ; sometimes it is set on three or four iron legs 

 instead of in the wooden block. At Orrysdale is a curious 

 spiral form in which the candle was raised or lowered by 

 twisting a pin round and round in the spiral. Sometimes 

 the holders were made to hang from a nail. Later, candles 

 were cast in moulds made by local tinsmiths. These, 

 which are now scarce, were long hollow cylinders tapering 

 to a cone at one end, the tip open to allow the wick to be 

 set centrally in the mould. Later moulds had a funnel- 

 shaped reservoir at the top to prevent the melted tallow 

 from overflowing. 



Home-brewed "jough," made in many farmhouses, 

 was kept in deep, narrow, earthenware " crockans," a large 

 wooden plug filled the top, and the beer was drawn off by 

 a smaller one near the bottom, called the " thalbane 

 pluggane." These crockans differed in size and shape, 

 but were all tall and narrow, holding some two or three 

 gallons. The round wooden butter box, taken by the 

 fishermen to " the herrings," would hold a pound of 

 butter. The owner's initials were often roughly cut on 

 the top of the lid with a knife. This and flat cakes, 

 of flour or meal, " berreenyn," baked upon a " losh," or 

 baking-stone, the circular flag placed over a peat fire, were 

 all they would take with them, the rest of their fare con- 



