ALIMENTARIJ PUCRI, &c. were certain children maintained and educated by the munificence of the emperors, in a sort of public places, not unlike our hospitals.—Trajan was the first who brought up any of these alimentary boys. He was imitated by Adrian. Antoninus Pius did the same for a number of maids, at the solicitation of Faustina; and hence, in some medals of that empress, we read PVELLAE FAUSTINIANAE.—Alexander Severus did the like at the request of Mamæa; and the maids thus educated were called Mamæanæ.
ALIMENTARY Duct or Canal, is a name given by Dr Tyson and some others to that part of the body through which the food passes from its reception into the mouth to its exit at the anus; including the gula, stomach, and intestines. See ANATOMY.
This duct has been said to be the true characteristic of an animal, or (in the jargon of the schools) in proprium quarto modo; no animal being without it. Plants receive their nourishment by the numerous fibres of their roots: but have no common receptacle for digesting the food received, or for carrying off the recriments. But in all, even the lowest degree of animal life, we may observe a stomach and intestines, even where we cannot perceive the least formation of any organ of the senses, unless that common one of feeling, as in oysters. Phil. Trans. No 269, p. 776, et seq.
Dr Wallis brings an argument from the structure of the alimentary tube in man, to prove that he is not naturally carnivorous; to which Dr Tyson makes some objections. Vid. Phil. Trans. No 260, p. 777.