Shell up to 30.0 mm in length, elongate-ovate, some specimens broader than others, teleoconch of 6-7 convex whorls, protoconch of 22-24 glassy, finely carinate purple embryonic whorls; sculptured with slender and frequently arcuate axial ribs which are separated from the sutural nodules by a shallow concave trough, ribs subangulate on presutural ramp and sometimes becoming obsolete or low and irregular on body whorl; interspaces completely smooth and a few coarse spiral cords develop only towards the base. Aperture moderately narrow, outer lip variced and denticulate-lirate within, columellar callus thick and spreading in a circular sweep on to body whorl, base of columella with up to 7 denticles, siphonal and anal canals distinct. White to cream in colour, banded with green or greenish-brown, bands usually confined to interspaces of axial ribs, columellar callus white to cream, aperture banded with purple-brown. Operculum brown and either serrate or simple at margins. TYPE LOCALITY. None (distortus and lachrymosa); Purbeck and Weymouth, England [= error!] and coast of New Guinea (monile Kiener). Cebu I, Philippines, is here designated as the type locality (specimens in AMS and AIM).

DISTRIBUTION. From the Andaman Is to Taiwan and the Cook Is. In clean, muddy and weedy coral sand, in lagoons, from the intertidal zone to a depth of 19 m. Type specimens. Three syntypes of N.distortus (A.Adams) are in the British Museum (N.H.), Lon- don, No.197334, and the specimen measuring length 23.5 mm, width 12.8 mm, is here selected as the lectotype (pl. 12, fig.6). The holotype of Nassa lachrymosa Reeve, is in the same Institution, No. 197343, length 26.4 mm, width 12.6 mm. Material examined. ANDAMAN IS: (ZSI); NICOBAR IS: Nancowry (ZMC); MALAYSIA: Sambelong (ZMC); INDONESIA: Saparoea Bay, S. of Ceram I, 19 m (ZMC); Pulau Bai, Batu group, off Sumatra; Pulau Siburu, S.W. of Sumatra; Keledjitan, Bantam, Java (all USNM); Kupang, W.Timor; Pantai Pura, N. of Kupang, W. Timor (both coll. McCausland); PHILIPPINES: Hundred Is, Lucap; Cebu (both coll. Powell); Cebu I (AIM, AMS); near Cebu City, Cebu; Maricaban I, Luzon; Balayan Bay, Luzon (all USNM); Matabungkong, c.115 km S.S.W. of Manila (AMS); Punta Engano, Mactan I, Cebu (coll. Dan); TAIWAN: (coll. Allo); CAROLINE IS: Peleliu, Palau Is (USNM); N.E. Ponape lagoon, (coll.McCausland); WEST IRIAN: Middleburgh I; Soepiori, Schouten Is (both AMS); PAPUA NEW GUINEA: near Gamododo, Milne Bay (USNM); Port Moresby (AMS); AUSTRALIA: Kapok Cove, Lizard I, Queensland (AMS); SOLOMON IS: Lavanggu, Rennell I (ZMC); Matui I, Marovo lagoon, New Georgia; Marau Sound, Guadalcanal; Maraunibina I, Guadalcanal (all Auckland Univ.); Pavuvu I, Russell Str. (USNM); Kumbara; off Sunday reef, Vanikoro, Santa Cruz group (both AMS); NEW HEBRIDES: Pango Pt., and Meli I, both Efate I (both AIM); Port Havannah and Malapoa Pt., both Efate. I (both coll. Eker); Tutuba I, Espiritu Santo; Undine Bay, Efate I; Pango Beach, Efate I (all coll.Coles); Erakor reef, Efate I (coll. Bratcher); Erromanga (AMS); Tanna I (coll. Delambre); LOYALTY IS: Lifu I (AIM; USNM); Shepenehe, Lifu I (ZMC); NEW CALEDONIA: Anse Vata, Noumea (AIM); Bayes Pt., N.E.coast of New Caledonia (coll. Taylor); Poindimie; Ile St.Marie; Bourail (all AMS); FIJI IS: Vatua village near Korolevu; 15km E. of Bau I, S. Viti Levu; S.of Cave I, Suva Bay, 18°07'S & 178°23'E (all ZMC); Suva reef, Sth. Viti Levu; Manava I, N.off Viti Levu (both coll. Eker); W.of Rat Tail Passage, Suva reef; Malolo I, Mamanuca group (both coll.Marrow); Ogea I, Lau group (coll. Wade); Levuka, Ovalau I (USNM); Nadi Bay, W.Viti Levu; Korolevu, S.Viti Levu; Ono I (all AMS); Lami, S. Viti Levu (coll.McCausland); Lakeba I; Moce I and Karoni I, all Lau group (AIM); N.end of Vanua Balavu (coll. Dickerson); SAMOA IS: Apia Harbour; Vaoto, Vailele Bay, Upolu I (AIM); Pago Pago (AMS; USNM); Tutuila (USNM); Sogi, Apia (coll.Scott); COOK IS: Rarotonga (AIM).