Hallo David,

> It doesn't store a number in $mypos it stores a result tree fragment
> with a root node with child a text node with string value the decimal
> expansion of teh number.
OK, I did not realize this point before.
Thanks for your point.

> If you really object to variables
Well, no.
I just jad the feeling, that there must be another way.

Thank you for your explanations,
Norbert