18 
LITTLE WANDERERS. 
the top of the akene. The plumed akenes are packed 
tightly away be- 
neath the scaly 
bracts that sur- 
round them. 
These bracts in 
the thistle are 
generally covered 
with sharp 
prickles. So, al- 
though one likes to look at a thistle and inhale its 
fragrance, it is not a pleasant flower to handle. 
When the thistle seeds are 
ripe, the prickly covering loos- 
ens, and the akenes come troop- 
ing out in a soft, fluffy mass. 
Away they fly, one by one, as 
the breeze dislodges them and 
carries them off. They are 
much more showy than the dan- 
delion akenes, for the plumes 
are much larger. 
Away they go, this way and 
that, and after a while the 
wind blows them against a 
tree branch, or a fence rail, or 
a stone. Then the akene thus stopped drops off from 
