$hash{'Me'}->{"name"} = "Me";
$hash{'Me'}->{"number"} = "7.7";
$hash{'Chuck'}->{"name"} = "Chuck";
$hash{'Chuck'}->{"number"} = "7.7";
$hash{'Zed'}->{"name"} = "Zed";
$hash{'Zed'}->{"number"} = "7.7";
$hash{'Wife'}->{"name"} = "Wife";
$hash{'Wife'}->{"number"} = "7.6";
$hash{'Dad'}->{"name"} = "Dad";
$hash{'Dad'}->{"number"} = "53";
$hash{'Michael'}->{"name"} = "Michael";
$hash{'Michael'}->{"number"} = "24";

test(\%hash);

sub test{
	my($hr) = @_;

	# sort criteria embedded:  expected results
	@sortedKeys = sort { $hr->{$b}->{"number"} <=> $hr->{$a}->{"number"} } keys %$hr;
	print "sort criteria embedded\n";
	foreach my $sortedKey(@sortedKeys){
		print $hr->{$sortedKey}->{"number"} . " " . $hr->{$sortedKey}->{'name'} . "\n";
	}
	
	# sort criteria eval-ed: wacky results
	my $sortCriteria = '$hr->{$b}->{"number"} <=> $hr->{$a}->{"number"}';
	# WHAT AM I DOING WRONG ON THE NEXT LINE?
	@sortedKeys = sort { eval $sortCriteria } keys %$hr;
	print "\n\nsort criteria eval-ed\n";
	foreach my $sortedKey(@sortedKeys){
		print $hr->{$sortedKey}->{"number"} . " " . $hr->{$sortedKey}->{'name'} . "\n";
	}
}

##</code><code>##

sort criteria embedded
53 Dad
24 Michael
7.7 Me
7.7 Zed
7.7 Chuck
7.6 Wife

sort criteria eval-ed
53 Dad
7.6 Wife
7.7 Me
7.7 Zed
24 Michael
7.7 Chuck