Megarite The Megarites were a humanoid species . A Megarite passed through a Starfleet Headquarters air tram station in San Francisco on stardate 7410 . 2 , moments before Admiral James T . Kirk departed from an air tram . ( ) Background information . The name " Megarite " was introduced to the world nearly a full six months before the release of " The Motion Picture " . During her visit to the set of " The Motion Picture " , Susan Sackett noted many " curious creatures " , including the " hair y Megarites " , which she contrasted with the " hairless Deltan s . " ( " " # 23 , , p . 31 . ) The Megarites were designed by Fred Phillips and Robert Fletcher for " The Motion Picture " . With the approval of Gene Roddenberry , the Megarites , as well as numerous other new species in the film , were named by Fletcher and provided a backstory by him . The following is a brief description , in Fletcher ' s own words : " " MEGARITES – Quite humanoid , but body has similarity to rhino hide . Four lips , with straning mechanics similar to of whale , in mouth of whales . Live by marine life found in waters of their planet , difficult to live away , have to provide artificial means of keeping alive in other environment . " " Federation scientists have found way by intravenous injection of proper nutrients capable of sustaining them for a week . Poetic people , communicate with songlike sounds , musical poems in own language , through four lips . Most of planet made of jade – houses , artifacts , etc . , carved from jade . Much of clothing comes from sea animals . Costume : sleeve , cast from plastic , simulates graphite steel . Traditional on planet to wear many ornaments of graphite steel or jade . ' Jade ' plaque on costume collar made of fabric and plastic , looks like jade . Hood of fabric lined with sheet foam rubber to give body sculptured effect . Costume of indigo blue wool , from studio warehouse . " " ( " " , p . 132 ; # 33 , , p . 71 ) In an interview with Robert Fletcher – published as part one of " The " Star Trek " Costumes " , in the edition of " Fantastic Films " – the Megarites were described thus ; " " Who ever coined the phrase ' hide as thick as a rhino ' s , ' must have met a Megarite . All Megarites have very tough , thick skin which does resemble that of a rhino . But they are a gentle people who communicate in a lyric type of poetry which their four lips alone in the galaxy are able to produce . Their musical poetry is treasured throughout the universe but due to the fact that they find it not only unpleasant but extremely difficult to leave their home planet , few except their diplomats , ever do . Because of this fact , until recent developments by Federations " [ sic ] " scientists , only those individuals who could travel to their planet could experience the Megarites ' beautiful music . Federation scientists developed intraveneous injections of the proper nutrients for Megarites which allow any Megarite who wishes to do so to travel freely about the galaxy . On their home planet they remain close to the water and survive off plankton which is found there . The sole export besides their music is which is in such abundance that they make not only adornments but their homes , tools and the majority of their artifacts from this mineral . " " In an interview appearing in the edition of " Fantastic Films " , part two of " The " Star Trek " Costumes " , Fletcher revealed more information about the Megarites and the design of their costumes : " " These are the Megarites . I call them the jade people because their planet has jade in such abundance that they make everything out of it . That even includes their houses . The bracelets are cast of plastic and made to look like graphite steel . They also have a great deal of graphite steel on their planet so they wear a great many ornaments made out of this material too . The jade plaque on his collar was made of a felt and resin combination . Notice the hood . The hood of the costume was is lined with a sheet of foam rubber to give added body to the costume and to create a more sculpted look . The hood then fits directly onto the collar . The particular costume is made of an indigo blue wool . The loose folds and the very rounded head help give a very otherworldly look to the creature . " " Also in 1980 , Mego released a 3¾ - inch Megarite action figure as part of its second series . In an article appearing in the edition of , entitled " Who is that Alien ? " , the following information about the Megarites , as taken from Fletcher ' s original background notes , added : " " In their natural environment , the Megarites lived under water , but the Federation developed a system of injections that allowed them to survive on land for about a week . Interestingly , most of their planet was made from jade . " "