Cancellaria anxifer: Protoconch 1,5 smooth shining whorls, first half-whorl deviated, merging gradually into main whorls, nucleus submerged. Teleoconch 4,5 rounded convex whorls. Sutures deeply impressed. Sculpture of fine oblique axial ribs, 14 on both body-whorl and penultimate, crossed by flat-topped transverse cords of indefinite outline, 10-12 on body-whorl, 4-5 on penultimate, with numerous flat-topped minor cords and threads between; whole sculpture crossed by microscopic growth lines. Umbilicus absent. Aperture ovate, narrowing anteriorly to a short open siphonal canal; columella straight with 3 strong oblique plaits; inner-lip reflected as light callus over body-whorl; outer-lip regularly curved, thin and sharp-edged; about 12 lirations commence close to edge and extend well into aperture. Colour pale fawn with brown bands, lighter band above sutures continues round centre of body-whorl, dark brown spots on top of shoulders. Dimensions. Holotype, length 23 mm, breadth 12 mm. Normal size. Largest specimen examined 28 mm length, 15 mm breadth.

Cancellaria anxifer: This species was originally named by Iredale (1925: 264), as a subsp. of Cancellaria (Sydaphera) purpuriformis Valenciennes, from which it differs considerably by its cancellate sculpture of fine axial ribs overridden by transverse cords, compared with the numerous fine transverse grooves of C. (S.) purpuriformis. It is usually only obtainable by dredging.

Cancellaria anxifer: Distribution. 5 km E. of Forster, N.S.W. (32° 15' S., 152° 30' E.), to E. of Twofold Bay, N.S.W. (37° 05' S., 149° 45' E.). Greatest depth, 146 metres off Sydney, N.S.W. (34° 03' S., 151° 15' E.). One authentic specimen from Stanley, N.W. Tasmania, very pale in colour, a little broader for length than N.S.W. specimens, otherwise identical. Coll. Sir Henry Somerset, T.M. Reg'd No. E. 6695. Shallow to medium depths. Type locality. Off Eden, New South Wales (37° 05' S., 150° 07' E.), 45-54
metres.