Bolian The Bolians were a humanoid species who were native to the Federation planet Bolarus IX . Physiology . Bolians were distinctively known for a bifurcating ( cartilaginous ) ridge running vertically along the center of the head and face , and partway down the chest . Skin color ranged from light green - blue to blue - gray to vivid blue and was occasionally accented with dark blue bands on the head . Bolian males were completely bald , were on average as tall as the average Human male , and were not known for their physical prowess . ( ) Male Bolians have been known to wear toupée s on occasion . ( ) Bolian females were predominantly bald . However , there were the occasional few who had hair . ( ; ) In addition to the ridge on their heads , they were also noted for having cartilaginous lining on their tongues that allowed them to consume food s not normally palatable by other races , including strong acid s . ( ) One such example of traditional Bolian cuisine was the consumption of meat that had been allowed to partially decay . ( ) The Doctor was particularly interested in the topic of the Bolian digestive system , and put together a piece on the topic in " Hints for Healthful Living " – a part of the daily morning show , " A Briefing with Neelix " . ( ) Bolian hearts were on the right side of their body . This was where petty officer Zim Brott was shot by the serial killer Chu ' lak in 2375 . ( ) When removed from the body , Bolian blood was blue in color . The chemistry of their blood was very different from Vulcan s . If a blood transfusion was given from a Vulcan to a Bolian it would result in the death of the Bolian . ( ; ) Intimate relations between Bolians and Humans typically cause adverse effects to the latter , which might include fatigue , nausea , and joint inflammation . ( ) History and politics . During the Bolian Middle Ages , the philosophic " double effect " principle , a form of assisted suicide , was developed . ( ) As of 2151 , Bolians had encountered Ferengi . ( ) By 2366 , the Bolian government was maintaining an uneasy truce with the Moropa . ( ) By the 24th century , the Bolians were associated with the Federation , with several officers serving in Starfleet in the 2360s and 2370s , including as Academy commandant in 2372 , as well as an active Federation ambassador by 2369 . ( ; ) Bolians were among the hundreds of different humanoid species living on Earth as of the 2370s . ( ; ) Bolian territory was a hotbed between the Federation and the Dominion during the Dominion War . A front was established by the Sixth Fleet in 2374 to prevent Dominion forces from taking the Bolian border and outlying colonies . Starfleet developed a new strategy during the war on the Bolian front which was known as the Bolian Operation . ( ) Society and culture . A Bolian medical philosophy on euthanasia was developed during their Middle Ages known as the " double effect " principle . This form of assisted suicide states that " " an action that has the principal effect of relieving suffering may be ethically justified even though the same action has the secondary effect of possibly causing death . " " ( ) Bolian courtship initiation consisted of a male and female Bolian pressing foreheads with eye s closed , while both participants touched the neck of their partner with both hands , placing the fingers where one would check the pulse of a species with a circulatory system similar to that of Humans . ( ) Bolian marriages sometimes involved more than two members . Any additional spouse was referred to as a " co - husband " or " co - wife " , respectively . ( ) During a pregnancy , they believed that if one gives birth near a warp core , the experience improved the baby ' s disposition . ( ) Bolian individuals tended to be highly outspoken , even when it was not requested . ( , et . al . ) Due to the " good nature " personality types often perceived in Bolians , they were often accustomed to working in various service professions . Bolian barber s and waiter s were employed aboard the during its mission . ( , et al . ) Captain Janeway once encountered the personality of an assimilated Bolian manicurist during a discussion with Seven of Nine . ( ) Bolian shop owners and restaurateurs maintained a presence on the Promenade of Deep Space 9 . ( ) A form of greeting involved extending the hand as if for a Human handshake , but with the palm down and the fingers curved part way . ( ) Bolian - written histories of 21st century Earth took special notice of the allegedly poor state of Human plumbing during that time period . ( ) Language . The Human name " Frederick " bore a close resemblance to an impolite Bolian term . ( ) Cuisine . Bolian food , to non - Bolians , sounded very unappetizing ( although was tasty ) , as in some dishes , preparation involved the use of aged meat . ( ) Economy and trade . The Bank of Bolias was the primary financial institution of the Bolians and many off - worlders . Fluctuations in Bolian currency played an important role in Alpha Quadrant trade . In 2371 , Quark , the Ferengi trade intermediary between the Karemma and the Federation , discussed Bolian currency fluctuations with Hanok . ( ) The Bolians were among many Federation races that took advantage of the starbase Deep Space 9 and the Bajoran wormhole . Bolian vessel s frequently conducted trade through the station during the 2370s , often falling victim to nearby Maquis raids . ( ) In 2371 , a Maquis ship disabled two Bolian freighter s near the Demilitarized Zone and stole its shipment of photon launcher s . ( ) The Maquis would again attack two Bolian freighters in 2373 , stealing several thousand tons of rhodium nitrite and selenium . ( ) In 2373 , the Bolian government authorized the Ferengi Gaming Commission to manage their gambling emporiums . ( ) Bolian crystalsteel was a type of Bolian commodity . ( ) Appendices . Background information . Bolians are named after Cliff Bole , who directed the first episode to feature the species , . ( ) Bolians were first identified by name in . The Cliffs of Bole , mentioned in are a further play on his name . According to an internal reference document , listing all the aliens seen in , which was circulated around the time of the production of TNG Season 5 , the Bolians were given the description of " A Federation race of humanoids – paleish blue skin , longer ears tha [ n ] human [ s ] , and are bald . " Apocrypha . According to the novel " Desperate Hours " " " by David Mack , the blue skinned humanoid seen serving on the bridge of the " USS Shenzhou " is Lieutenant Troke , a Tulian . The Tulians are a cousin species to Bolians who eagerly embraced cybernetic technology .