May 9, 1950. 
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST 
Page Twenty-Five 
ciated by members was a lecture by Mr. 
Gunter, who addressed us on “Broken Hill 
Flora,” when many colorful pressed speci- 
mens of the flora of that arid area were 
exhibited. 
At all meetings enthusiastic members have 
tabled freshly-gathered specimens of flora, 
which have unfailingly aroused keen interest. 
In spring, contacts were made with the 
W.A. Wildflower Show Society and the 
Broken Hill Field Naturalists’ Society, when 
as a result of our sending specimens of South 
Australian native flora, we were rewarded 
with fine supplies of wildflowers from these 
societies for our own Wildflower Show. In 
this way, too, our corresponding member 
from Meningie, Mr. Williams, added greatly 
to the orchid display at the Wildflower Show. 
The Botany Club appreciates the work 
being done by our member, Mr. Swann (also 
Chairman of the Society), in promoting in- 
terest in the matter of national reserves and 
sanctuaries, ultimately creating greater pro- 
tection of our native flora. 
The Botany Club wishes him further suc- 
cess in this project, as the conservation of 
this State’s native flora, apart from the study 
of it, is the chief aim of the Botany Club. 
J. FERRIES, Chairman. 
H. M. STOCKHAM, Hon. Secretary. 
MEMBERS’ PAGE 
APHRODITE AUSTRALE 
During the Field Naturalists’ excursion to 
the Semaphore beach on May 15, 1948, a 
member picked up, at high water mark, a 
marine animal. It w 7 as about six inches long, 
with a cylindrical body seven inches in cir- 
cumference, and tapering to each end. It is 
commonly knowm as a “Sea Mouse,” but the 
scientific name is Aphrodite australe. Aphro- 
dite was the Goddess of Love and Beauty who 
sprang from Sea Foam; australe means 
southern. It belongs to the Phylum — Annu- 
lata; Family — Aphroditidae, and is a seg- 
mented sea worm. It lives on sandy bottoms, 
preferring a dirty or muddy sand, so the 
animal is generally coated with dirt. The 
bristles show a beautiful iridescence when 
protruding. They can be withdrawn into a 
sheath. After removing dirt by washing, the 
animal can be preserved in methylated spirits 
or formalin. If a dry specimen is wanted, 
soak the animal in methylated spirits contain- 
ing about three grains of corrosive sub- 
limate, for four days. (Place the solution 
in a glass jar, as the corrosive sublimate will 
destroy metal, and also, remember it is 
poisonous.) Take out the animal, and put 
it under pressure to expel fluid and soft parts. 
It will then be a flat skin. Put a glass 
tube into its mouth and blow out the skin to 
its normal shape, helping with your fingers 
to form it. When shaped it will dry quickly. 
The corrosive will protect the animal from 
w T eevils and insects. The specimen is best 
kept in a glass case or under cover. 
CEO. PATTISON. 
THE COURTSHIP OF A MAGPIE 
It was about four years ago that it began 
in the big gum tree at the side of the house. 
A magpie, probably of the previous year’s 
brood, began some time in June to fly to the 
top of the tree about an hour before sunrise 
and pour out his song, without a break, until 
the first streak of dawn. Then he would fly 
away and go about his business among the 
spiders and the grubs. This concert was 
repeated every morning well on into the 
spring; but wdthout any result. 
Again the next year back he came, and 
repeated the same persevering routine, but 
still wfith no result. But in the third year, 
wdien one wrnuld expect him to be discour- 
aged, there appeared towards the end of his 
serenade the mate whom he had been so 
persistently calling. They promptly made a 
match, built a nest and reared a brood of 
young birds in the topmost branches of that 
very tree. This new routine was gone 
through in the following year, and now^ with 
the two old nests still remaining, they are 
building a third for still another brood. 
But the father bird has taken nothing for 
granted, for all this springtime he has faith- 
fully carried out his morning carol just as 
vigorously as when he began in his enthusi- 
astic youth. 
Notes — For a general treatment of this 
fascinating subject of “Bird Territory,” see 
“Essays in Popular Science,” by Julian Hux- 
ley in the Pelican Books. These observations 
were made near Tranmere, approximately 
three miles east of Adelaide. 
EDGAR W. PRITCHARD. 
