sexual, without taking the matter seriously or bi-sexual; but few are what could be called "pure" homosexuals. Of course the younger set know all about "the question" and play along with it. No one is openly hostile, unpleasant or upsetting. On the contrary. ..

At the same time there are those. living in Israel-a ring of people who come from the Orient: from India, Iran, Lybia, Africa, etc. These persons are Jews but in their natures are like Orientals; they are the Moslems. For the Moslem there is a law; and this law states that before his marriage he may not go with women. But the Koran does not mention that a young bachelor may not go with a boy. So this is quite simply why many of the young unmarried Moslems like to be together with boys-and often later, after they are married.

In contrast to the Oriental-Jew-Moslem mentioned above, the OrientalJew may start very young to enjoy the pleasures of both men and women until the time of his marriage.

Among the soldiers and oftener among the unemployed men there exists a limited form of prostitution. But it is of little significance. This easy state of affairs in Israel might well be brought about by the genuine independence of the women. They are frequently found active in business, teaching and vigorously practicing law; many are even to be found in construction work and government planning. One often sees the lesbian type in Israel, but one seldom sees a lesbian. This, instead, is just their manner of behavior.

Another reason for the unconcern and acceptance of homosexuality in Israel is the very basic fact of there being more men about than women. Situations of long standing between two men occur seldom for all of the customary reasons. And further, Israel is a very small country, and the people love to gossip as they do everywhere.

R. H. Stuart

INDIA and CEYLON

In India the interpretation of the law is not made by personal and erratic opinions of judges, but is based on a Penal Code, available in printed form. According to this Code (largely due to Macaulay, incidentally) no form of homosexuality is per se punishable except sodomy: that is to say, provided no other offense is involved such as abduction of a minor, breach of public decency, etc. The Ceylon Penal Code is based on that of India in this respect. Incidentally, in Buddhism, the dominant religion in Ceylon, homosexual intercourse is not regarded as a breach of the Precepts which a good Buddhist should observe, but only "improper intercourse with the opposite sex," for example adultery, intercourse. with minors. And in Hinduism even sodomy is regarded as a minor sin, ranking with insulting a Brahmin.

In both countries, homosexuality is very much a part of the national mores, though it is more a matter of homosexual practices than of real homosexual inclinations: it would be more apt to say that the younger men are "sexual" rather than homo or heterosexual. The effeminate type of homosexual is very rarely met with, but few men under thirty seem averse to, at any rate, occasional homosexual practices. Prostitution is comparatively rare, thanks to this abundance of enthusiastic amateurs, although boys do frequent certain well-known areas of the larger cities on the look out for custom, and in India massage boys carrying flasks of oil are often seen in railway stations and in parks, and although they are very competent masseurs they practically always will readily extend their services in any way desired.

In India, sodomy is perhaps the most usual practice: in Ceylon, on the other hand, intercourse is almost always inter-femoral, and sodomy is generally disliked. Fellatio is comparatively rare in both countries.

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