problems reading xml from a db field and using it in REXML

[aidy]

I have pulled some xml from a field in the database

However, when I try to use that xml in REXML

require 'rexml/document'
doc = REXML:ocument.new(xml)

I recieve this exception
c:/ruby/lib/ruby/1.8/rexml/source.rb:20:in `create_from': undefined
local variable or method `source' for REXML::SourceFactory:Class
(NameError)

This below does no raise an exception

doc = REXML:ocument.new(xml.to_s)

But I don't think to_s can handle the xml, as

puts doc

Gives me invalid characters.

Aidy