CHAPTER IX 



JUAN VINAS AROUND THE LAGUNA 



Juan Viiias was, of all places in Costa Rica, the one at 

 which our most interesting scientific observations were 

 made. This was partly because of its situation, at about 

 3300 feet (iioo meters) above sea-level on the Atlantic 

 slope, where bits of the original forest still existed, and 

 partly because we were able to find accommodation here on 

 repeated visits, thanks to Mrs. Clyde Ridgway. Many an 

 excellent locality for the naturalist in Costa Rica is unavail- 

 able because of the difficulty of obtaining shelter and food, 

 unless the traveler has the means to transport such neces- 

 saries to the place where he would be, an undertaking in- 

 volving much expense. We visited Juan Viiias for periods 

 of varying length in June, July-August, September-Octo- 

 ber, December, February, March and April-May, so that 

 we were able to note changes during the year in greater de- 

 tail than in any other locality except Cartago. 



The cafion of the Reventazon is here quite narrow and 

 about 1 500 feet (450 meters) deep, with precipitous sides. The 

 Atlantic Railroad, following the left (north) bank, occupies a 

 shelf or cutting which at Juan Viiias station is 800 feet (245 

 meters) above the river. The station lay near the southern 

 side of what seemed to be the floor of an old crater. The 

 southern wall of this crater, lying between the railroad and 

 the river, was very low. On all other sides its height was 

 much greater and in places reached 700 feet (213 meters). 

 The north and south diameter of this depression was greater 

 than the east and west diameter and the floor was nar- 



