The Hipon were a telepathic amphibious race native to the Alpha or Beta Quadrants. They lived primarily underwater, but could survive on land indefinitely. The Hipon resembled giant spiders, although their anatomy more closely resembled that of crustaceans. Their bodies had hard shells, eight hairy legs with inverted joints, and underneath their carapaces were eyes and a round toothless mouth filled with wormlike appendages attached to the upper and lower lips. When nervous, their bodies exuded a brown slime which smelled like rotted fish. They breathed through a gill/lung combination on the sides of their necks. Since their mouths were not connected to their respiratory systems, they were physically incapable of verbal communication. Their form of telepathy, which utilized a strong concen