# File lib/numru/nusdas.rb, line 267
    def var(vname)
      if String === vname
        bt_str,element = vname.split("/")
        bt = NuSDaS.time_from_str(bt_str)
        if /^(.*)#{@@surf_suffix}$/ =~ element
          element = $1
          surf = true
        else
          surf = false
        end
        element = (element + " "*[6-element.length,0].max)[0,6]
        if (hash = @meta[:basetimes][bt]) && hash[:elements].include?(element)
          return NuSDaSVar._new(type1,type2,type3,bt,element,hash,self,surf)
        end
      end
      raise "variable '#{vname}' is not found"
    end