> I'm not sure I understand what you said here? Does this mean 
> that contrary to common wisdom and understanding multiple 
> uses of //x will be more efficient than multiple uses of 
> /a/b/c/x  when using Saxon?

Yes. Perhaps. On the other hand, the extra memory needed might slow things
down. The only way to be sure is to measure it.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/