pear db connections array

I would like to set up some db connections in an array so I can loop through them later, performing queries to different db's (different servers, too) from a single form. I found the following example on the pear site, but am unable to make it work (I am only learning). I am hoping someone can help by detailing how to modify or complete the example for my purposes. The example is:

Code:

<?php

/*
 * Connect to one of the possible databases
 *
 * @throws Example_Datasource_Exception when it can't connect to
 * any of the configured databases.
 *
 * @throws Example_Config_Exception when it can't find databases
 * in the configuration.
 */

function connect(Config $conf) {
    $dsns =& $conf->searchPath(array('config', 'db'));
    if ($dsns === FALSE) throw new Example_Config_Exception(
        'Unable to find config/db section in configuration.'
    );

    $dsns =& $dsns->toArray();
    
    foreach($dsns as $dsn) {
        try { 
            $this->connectDB($dsn);
            return;
        } catch (Example_Datasource_Exception e) {
            // Some warning/logging code recording the failure
            // to connect to one of the databases
        }
    }
    throw new Example_Datasource_Exception(
        'Unable to connect to any of the configured databases'
    );
}

I think I am missing exactly how to create the configuration (include?) with my dns's.

I get as far as creating the array thus:

Code:

//create an array from the possible connections
$connection = array('test' => '& DB::connect (' . $dsn_test . ')',
                    'auth' => '& DB::connect (' . $dsn_auth . ')',
                    'auth2' => '& DB::connect (' . $dsn_auth2 . ')');

-Andrew