# File lib/celerity/element.rb, line 34
    def initialize(container, *args)
      self.container = container

      case args.size
      when 2
        @conditions = { args[0] => args[1] }
      when 1
        if args.first.is_a? Hash
          @conditions = args.first
        elsif (how = self.class::DEFAULT_HOW)
          @conditions = { how => args.first }
        else
          raise ArgumentError, "wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)"
        end
      when 0
        @conditions = { :index => Celerity.index_offset }
      else
        raise ArgumentError, "wrong number of arguments (#{args.size} for 2)"
      end

      @conditions.freeze
      @object = nil
    end