THISTLES. 
19 
the plume to the ground. The akene, in this case, is 
done sailing about. It has come to rest and very 
likely will lie until the next spring before it sprouts. 
The plume is not harmed at all when the akene 
lets go, but at the next gust of wind flies on, lighter 
than ever. 
One often sees these seedless plumes sailing about in 
the summer and fall. 
People sometimes gather the heads of large thistles 
before the seeds are ripe, pull out the pink part of the 
flowers, carefully pull off the prickly bracts, and hang 
the rest up to dry. The akenes do not then fall off, 
but the plumy part fluffs out and makes a pretty pom- 
pon with which the children's hats can be trimmed. 
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