FLOWERS 133 



relative positions of the members of the different whorls. Such 

 sections do not usually show just what would appear on the 

 cut surface made by slicing the flower across at right angles 



ABC 

 FIG. 116. Floral diagrams 



A, Lily family ; B, Heath family ; C, Madder family ; D, Composite family. The 

 dot above the diagram indicates the position of the stem or axis which bears the 

 flowers. The sepals are distinguished from the petals by being represented with 

 midribs. In B the alternate stamens are printed lighter, since some flowers of 

 this family have five and some ten stamens. After Sachs 



to its axis ; they rather give the section that would be ob- 

 tained by raising or lowering the successive whorls until all 

 stood on the same level, and then making a section. It is usual 

 to distinguish sepals from petals by representing the former 

 with a midrib, and to represent the section as passing through 

 the anthers and ovaries of the stamens and pistils, respectively. 



