         
         var element:Object;
         
-        if (_content === null)
+        if (_mxmlContent === null)
             return null;
         
         // Need to call itemRemoved before removing the item so anyone listening
         // for the event can access the item.
         
-        itemRemoved(index);
-        
-        switch (_contentType)
-        {
-            case CONTENT_TYPE_ARRAY:
-            {
-                var removed:Array = _content.splice(index, 1);
+        elementRemoved(index);
+        
+        switch (_mxmlContentType)
+        {
+            case MXML_CONTENT_TYPE_ARRAY:
+            {
+                var removed:Array = _mxmlContent.splice(index, 1);
                 if (removed && removed.length > 0)
                     element = removed[0];
                 break;  
             }
                 
-            case CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN:
-            {
-                element = _content;
-                _content = null;
+            case MXML_CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN:
+            {
+                element = _mxmlContent;
+                _mxmlContent = null;
                 break;
             }    
         }

     */ 
    override protected function commitProperties():void
    {
        if (contentChanged)
        {
            contentChanged = false;
            initializeChildrenArray();
            
            maskChanged = true; 

     *
     *  @param index The index of the item that is being removed.
     */
    mx_internal function elementRemoved(index:int):void
    {       
        var element:Object = getElementAt(index);
        var childDO:DisplayObject = element as DisplayObject;
        
        dispatchEvent(new ItemExistenceChangedEvent(
                      ItemExistenceChangedEvent.ITEM_REMOVE, false, false, element, index));        
        if (element && (element is GraphicElement))
        {
            element.parent = null;
            element.sharedDisplayObject = null;
            childDO = GraphicElement(element).displayObject;
        }
                
        if (childDO && childDO.parent == this)
