/* A variable of length at least 32 bits that is used to hold bits that
* have been read from the stream. The bits are ordered from high-order
* to low-order; the next bit is always the high-order bit. */
/* A variable of length at least 32 bits that is used to hold bits that
* have been read from the stream. The bits are ordered from high-order
* to low-order; the next bit is always the high-order bit. */