Array of MovieClips undefined?

programming flash
1 

on (press) {
    numdots = _root.dot_num.text;
    _root.TEST.text = numdots;
    dotArray = new Array();

    for (i = 0; i < numdots; i++) {
        duplicateMovieClip(_root.dots_seed, "dots_seed"+i, i);
        dotArray* = eval("dots_seed"+i);
        dotArray*._x = random(800);
        dotArray*._y = random(600);
        // why undefined, even after eval?
        trace(dotArray*);
    }
    _root.dots_seed._visible = false;
}

I’m not sure why the above code isn’t working. I’ve used it correctly before.

_root.TEST is just a Dynamic TextField to make sure I’m retrieving and passing the number correctly, which works.

trace(dotArray*); comes out undefined. I’m really at a loss over this one because I have the exact same code in another file, except on a frame in the timeline instead of inside a MovieClip’s on (press) – could that be it? – and eval and trace work. Any of your help and time would be appreciated, Thanks.