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 
Fic. 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. 
