--- scheme-data.texi.~1.38.~	1970-01-01 10:00:01.000000000 +1000
+++ scheme-data.texi	2003-11-11 10:21:08.000000000 +1000
@@ -1229,6 +1229,11 @@
 @node Random
 @subsection Random Number Generation
 
+Pseudo-random numbers are generated from a random state object, which
+can be created with @code{seed->random-state}.  The @var{state}
+parameter to the various functions below is optional, it defaults to
+the state object in the @code{*random-state*} variable.
+
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} copy-random-state [state]
 @deffnx {C Function} scm_copy_random_state (state)
 Return a copy of the random state @var{state}.
@@ -1242,12 +1247,6 @@
 number of the same type between zero (inclusive) and
 @var{n} (exclusive). The values returned have a uniform
 distribution.
-
-The optional argument @var{state} must be of the type produced
-by @code{seed->random-state}. It defaults to the value of the
-variable @code{*random-state*}. This object is used to maintain
-the state of the pseudo-random-number generator and is altered
-as a side effect of the random operation.
 @end deffn
 
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} random:exp [state]
@@ -1302,6 +1301,11 @@
 Return a new random state using @var{seed}.
 @end deffn
 
address@hidden *random-state*
+The global random state used by the above functions when the
address@hidden parameter is not given.
address@hidden defvar
+
 
 @node Characters
 @section Characters