Rushlight 1290943 215042998 2008-05-26T13:13:37Z Velela 136926 clarification and made current - they are still used in some locations [[Image:rush_light_lighted.jpg|thumb|200px|right]] A '''rushlight''' is a type of [[candle]] formed using the dried [[pith]] of the [[Juncaceae|rush plant]] as its wick. The green [[Epidermis (botany)|epidermis]] or rind is peeled off to reveal the inner pith, aside from a single strip left to provide support. It is then steeped in any household [[fat]] or [[Petroleum|grease]] that is available although [[beeswax]] or good [[tallow]], especially [[mutton]] fat, improves the quality of the light. In particularly thrifty households two strips of epidermis are left, reducing the light output but extending the life of the rushlight. On more remote Atlantic islands such as [[St. Kilda]] the [[stomach oil]] produced by [[Fulmar]]s was used as the source of oil. Before paraffin wax candles started to become readily available, true wax candles made from beeswax were expensive and the preserve of the rich. A rushlight provided very economical lighting for the less well-off. A rushlight 2/3 of a [[metre]] long (about 2 feet) might burn for an hour and cost practically nothing to make. ==See also== *[[List of light sources]] {{ArtificialLightSources}} [[Category:Candles]]