During dinner conversation, Tholan explains that he is investigating "Inhibition Death". The alien lists several unique things about humans: they are the only sentient race to eat meat, they lack any sort of telepathic ability, and to the Smolletts' great surprise, they are the only race to die of old age.
During a mealtime discussion, Tholan reveals that he is studying "The Phenomenon of Mortality". The extraterrestrial highlights several remarkable aspects of humanity: humans are the only intelligent beings that consume animal products, they do not possess any telepathic capabilities, and this fact surprises the Smolletts.