Shell long-fusiform, slender, with numerous moderately rounded whorls, the nucleus chrysodomoid, the shell structure usually white, often with a chalky external layer under a conspicuous, usually brownish, adherent periostracum; sculpture spiral, seldom very strong, sometimes nearly obsolete, never axially plicate or ribbed; aperture of moderate size, the outer lip simple, acute, not thickened or reflected, rarely slightly expanded; pillar smooth, the inside of the outer lip not lirate or denticulate; canal varying in length, usually somewhat tortuous or, when short, recurved ; operculum filling the aperture, formed as in Chrysodomus. (Dall.)
TYPE. Murex islandicus Gmelin.
RANGE. Arctic to San Diego, California; circumboreal.