$element is redefined... why?

sammy.store.js

  Sammy.Store = function(options) {
    var store = this;
    this.options  = options || {};
    this.name     = this.options.name || 'store';
    this.element  = this.options.element || 'body';

    this.$element = $(this.element); // <== *** Why is $element redefined in this plugin? ***

    if ($.isArray(this.options.type)) {
      $.each(this.options.type, function(i, type) {
        if (Sammy.Store.isAvailable(type)) {
          store.type = type;
          return false;
        }
      });
    } else {
      this.type = this.options.type || 'memory';
    }
    this.meta_key = this.options.meta_key || '__keys__';
    this.storage  = new Sammy.Store[Sammy.Store.stores[this.type]](this.name, this.element, this.options);
  };