split bug? sure not, but...?

[frapan]

do u know why

print "\n a)", scalar split /:/, ':';
print "\n b)", scalar split /:/, ':f';
print "\n c)", scalar split /:/, ':f:';

writes:

a)0
b)2
c)2

and not

a)1
b)2
c)2

as i expected?
ok for trailing fields (perlfunc says they are deleted so b an c give
same result), but shouldnt perl find an empty leading field splitting
':' ?

thanks