my @x; # @x has a refcount of 1
{ 
  my @array=(\@x);  # @x has a refcount of 2
} # Free lexicals
# @x has a refcount of 1

##</code><code>##

procedure refcount_dec(item)
  if ( --item.refcount == 0 ) 
    foreach sv in item.contents
      refcount_dec(sv)
    endfor
    if ( item.isref ) 
      refcount_dec(item.references)
    endif
  endif
endproc