Previous page .. One of the coolest things we saw were velvet worms, (Oncyphora), a "missing link" between segmented worms and arthropods. To learn more about these interesting animals, I refer you to Ray Mendez’s article, "Keeping a missing link: the velvet worms." Backyard BUGwatching 18:14-17. Ray also had an article and cover photo on velvet worm in the September, 1985 Natural History magazine. .. .. .. .. We came upon an area where a number of large trees had been felled and began pulling bark off of them to see what we could find. Beneath the bark on one huge log, these two unidentified millipedes (Diplopoda) were quite common. There were all ages of both species but I couldn’t tell if they were feeding there or if this is where they hole up during daylight hours. They were nestled in a layer of organic material that lay between the bark and sound wood. The "stuff" may have been entirely frass as is apparent in the photo of the one that most resembles our Sonoran millipedes. .. .. .. .. While I was photographing the millipedes, Grace and Annalive were exploring on their own. I heard a shriek and ran to see what they had found. Fortunately Annalive was not bitten as she pulled the log over. I contacted David L. Hardy, a herpetologist friend of many years for assistance in identifying it. He has made seventeen trips to Costa Rica to study venomous snakes over the past thirty years. From my photos, he identified this snake as an immature hognosed viper (Porthidium nasutum). The coloration changes as it matures. Locally known as tamagá, it is common but rarely seen. .. .. We also came across an egg cocoon under a log. Except for being so heavy, I had thought it to be an egg case of the giant crab spider like we have in Tucson. When I cut it open to investigate, it turned out to be that of a tarantula, the babies very near ready to leave. .. .. .. .. Before long, we had to fly. After crossing this stream, we walked about a mile through a small community to the home of Annalive’s uncle where we explored his horse manure pile for scarab larvae. We found one large enough to be a Hercules beetle, which Annalive will rear it to see what it might become. From there we took a cab back to the Mariposario, quickly changed clothes, and called another cab. Grace and I got to the bus station just in time to catch the one to San José. I appreciated Grace accompanying me since I had no clue where I was going. .. .. .. We arrived in San Jose a little after noon and grabbed a cab to the Gran Hotel Costa Rica, one of the spots where Tony, a driver for The Butterfly Farm makes a regular stop for tourists at 2:00. The National Theater was across the street, and the area was bustling with activity. While we waited for lunch to be served, we sat on the front porch of the old hotel listening to great music and people watching. Too soon we had to say goodbye. Although we had known each other for only 48 hours, Grace and I developed a warm friendship and I look forward to getting together again with her and the other family members I met. .. .. .