THISTLES. 
Nobody can help liking thistles — that 
is, to look at. We do not care to handle 
them, nor do they care to have us, which 
perhaps is why they are covered all over 
with such sharp prickles. 
The prickles are an intimation to 
us to let them alone. 
They do not want to be handled, 
and they do not want to be eaten. 
When a plant arms itself 
with thorns or prickles, 
that is its way of saying 
" hands off." Few crea- 
tures besides 
donkeys 
thistles. 
It is said 
that don- 
keys are 
fond of 
them, and 
some horses 
will nibble 
eat 
