Generally, all the evidence seems to suggest that compared with men, women tend to be less focused on the genitals and more sensitive to the entire body's potential for sensuous pleasure, "For most women, being touched and stroked all over is an essential prelude to arousal, perhaps because it takes them longer to become aroused than men," says Dr. Zussman. Still, once you've gotten beyond the tactile generalities, there are certain areas that most women find highly arousing.

The clitoris is an unmistakable erogenous zone in most women. Both the glans (head) and the shaft of the clitoris are highly responsive to the touch¬sometimes so much so that it hurts if they're touched too roughly or without lubrication. In a series of now-famous experiments, Dr. Kinsey had five gynecolo gists using glass, metal or cotton-tippe<;l probes explore the genitals of almost 900 women to find out which areas were most sensitive. inety-eight percent of the women could feel the probe touching their clitoris, often evoking erotic feelings of "considerable intensity." The clitoris, in other words, is the hot spot of hot spots.

The labia minora, the inner lips of the genitals, are richly supplied with nerves, especially on their secret, inner sides. In Dr. Kinsey's studies, 98 percent of the women could feel a touch on either the inner or the outer side ofthe lips. "As sources of erotic arousal," he observed, "the labia minora seem to be fully as important as the clitoris." The labia majora - the fleshy outer lips-seem to be considerably less sensually sensitive.

The entrance of the vagina is a definite pleasure zone. Most women find the so-called vestibule of the vagina (the funnel-shaped area between the inner lips, just above and outside the vaginal opening), as well as the first inch and a half of its interior, to be the sweetest of spots. That's because these areas are richly supplied with nerve endings. Interestingly enough, the deep inner walls of the vagina seem numb by comparison - only 14 percent ofthe women in Dr. Kinsey's sample could even feel it when the probe gently stroked them there, and relatively few ofthem said they masturbated by means of deep vaginal penetration. Modern researchers point out, though, that some women are wildly responsive to deep pressure (not light strokes) applied to the roof of the vagina, several inches inside the opening-an area that's come to be called the "G-spot." (For more, see "G-Spot. ")

The breasts and nipples receive mixed reviews. Many women respond to erotic attentions to the breast and nipples-but an equal number find that being stimulated in these areas either does not lead to arousal or even makes them uncomfortable. Studies have shown that although 90 percent of women say their partners like to kiss or stroke their breasts during sex, only about 50 percent actually enjoy it. Some women find it painful, especially just before or during menstruation, when the breasts may become tender.