In R-trunk version 41191, the 'Value' section of sys.parent.Rd explains that sys.parent() returns an environment, which is wrong. The 'Details' sections explains that it returns the number of the parent frame, etc. Here's a fix: Index: src/library/base/man/sys.parent.Rd ==================================================================--- src/library/base/man/sys.parent.Rd (revision 41191) +++ src/library/base/man/sys.parent.Rd (working copy) @@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ } \value{ \code{sys.call} returns a call, \code{sys.function} a function - definition, and \code{sys.frame}, \code{sys.parent} and - \code{parent.frame} return an environment. + definition, and \code{sys.frame} and \code{parent.frame} return an + environment. For the other functions, see the Details section. } Best, Jeff -- http://biostat.mc.vanderbilt.edu/JeffreyHorner