Protoconch 1,5 to 2 smooth, shining, slightly deviated whorls, merging gradually into main whorls, nucleus submerged. Teleoconch 5 convex whorls, roundly shouldered, slightly constricted at base. Sutures deeply impressed at base of shallow canal. Sculpture of fine, sharp, oblique ribs, up to 32 on body-whorl and 22 on penultimate, crossed by fine sharp transverse striae, 15 on body-whorl and 5 on penultimate; between these striae are from 4 to 7 fine threads, central the strongest, finely granulated by intersecting microscopic growth lines; between main striation on top of shoulder and suture are 5 to 8 microscopic striae. Umbilicus a fine narrow aperture behind inner-lip callus. Aperture widely elongate, contracted either end, a short narrow open siphonal canal; columella arched towards outer-lip anteriorly, one strong plait in centre, slightly oblique, posterior plait weaker and more oblique, a third fold at anterior end forms edge of canal; inner-lip strongly calloused on to body-whorl and over umbilical opening, granulose anteriorly; outer-lip thick but sharply edged, crenulate, depressed inwards posteriorly, flared outwards anteriorly, 10-12 strong lirae extend well into aperature. Colour off-white, with 3 broad light or dark brown bands on body-whorl, 2 on penultimate, leaving 2 narrow white bands between; aperture inside outer-lip, also base of inner-lip, frequently marked with similar brown. Dimensions. Holotype unknown. Average size, length 32 mm, breadth 18 mm. Largest specimen examined, length 35 mm, breadth 23 mm.

Apart from the coarser axial ribbing in this species compared with Cancellaria {Merica) melanostoma westralis nov., the allied species occurring in Western Australia,. C. (M.) elegans also has 4-7 fine threads between the main transverse striae, whereas C. (M.) melanostoma westralis has only 3, central the strongest, in all specimens examined.

In Australia: From Sweers Island, Gulf of Carpentaria (17° 05' S., 139° 37' E.), round Cape York Peninsula, southwards along Queensland coast to Toogoom Beach, north of Hervey Bay, Queensland (25° 10' S., 152° 35' E.) Subtidal down to 49 metres.