Bug in basename?

Hi,

I *believe* there is a bug in basename, it is reproducable.  Demonstrated
by the example below.  I apologise in advance if it is not and my
understand is at fault.

$ basename --v
basename (GNU sh-utils) 2.0.11
Written by FIXME unknown.

From sh-utils-2.0.11-5.rpm on Redhat 7.2, note I also tried
sh-utils-2.0.11-14.rpm with Redhat 7.3 which contained the same
version of basename.

$ a="gfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfytytytytytjhjhjhjhjh8686868686 - "
$ b=`basename $a`
$ a="gfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfytytytytytjhjhjhjhjh8686868686 - 17 "
$ b=`basename $a`
$ basename: too many arguments
Try `basename --help' for more information.
$ a="gfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfgfytytytytytjhjhjhjhjh86868686868888888"
$ b=`basename $a`

Please let me know, it's itching me.

-- 
Best regards,
 Darren                          mailto:[email protected]