JUAN VINAS—THE REVENTAZON VALLEY 229 



colorless except for the small white, rosy or pale brown 

 stigma. It has been found from the State of Vera Cruz, 

 Mexico, to Panama. 



When flying, the bodies of these insects are extremely in- 

 conspicuous. An old man, near the Rio Buena Vista in 

 Nicoya, told Professor Tristan that Mecistogasters were not 

 "pipilachas" or dragonflies at all but human spirits, be- 

 cause they have not head or body, only wings! When a 

 person dies the spirit (soul) begins to fly for some days in 

 the woods and nobody can disturb it. 



