    # File temp/element.rb, line 222
                    def namespace(prefix=nil)
                            if prefix.nil?
                                    prefix = prefix()
                            end
                            if prefix == ''
                                    prefix = "xmlns"
                            else
                                    prefix = "xmlns:#{prefix}" unless prefix[0,5] == 'xmlns'
                            end
                            ns = attributes[ prefix ]
                            ns = parent.namespace(prefix) if ns.nil? and parent
                            ns = '' if ns.nil? and prefix == 'xmlns'
                            return ns
                    end