diff --git a/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.cpp b/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
index 7641a2365..1c0357ec2 100644
--- a/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
+++ b/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
@@ -548,7 +548,13 @@ namespace Cantera {
       addUniqueElement(symbol);
     }
   }
- 
+   
+  // True if freezeElements has been called.
+  bool Elements::elementsFrozen() const 
+  {
+    return m_elementsFrozen; 
+  }
+
   /*
    * clear()
    *
@@ -562,7 +568,7 @@ namespace Cantera {
     m_elem_type.resize(0);
     m_elementsFrozen = false;
   }
-
+  
   /*
    * ready():
    *
diff --git a/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.h b/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.h
index f0c46cb18..c4a3ec499 100644
--- a/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.h
+++ b/Cantera/src/thermo/Elements.h
@@ -294,6 +294,8 @@ namespace Cantera {
      *                    The default is to specify an ENTROPY298_UNKNOWN value,
      *                    which will cause a throw error if its ever
      *                    needed.
+     *  @param elem_type  New elem type to be assigned. 
+     *                    The default is a regular element, CT_ELEM_TYPE_ABSPOS
      */
     void addUniqueElement(const std::string& symbol, 
 			  doublereal weight = -12345.0, int atomicNumber = 0,
@@ -316,8 +318,8 @@ namespace Cantera {
     //! Prohibit addition of more elements, and prepare to add species.
     void freezeElements();
     
-    /// True if freezeElements has been called.
-    bool elementsFrozen() { return m_elementsFrozen; }
+    //! True if freezeElements has been called.
+    bool elementsFrozen() const;
 
     /// Remove all elements
     void clear();