This genus includes species with a small, moderately narrow, lanceolate shell, the latter whorls becoming dorsoventrally flattened. The spire is high and acute. The number of nuclear whorls ranges from one and one-half to three; postnuclear whorls, from five to ten. The body whorl is generally short and more or less broadly trigonal. The siphonal canal is short, open, and recurved, with a coarse siphonal fasciole. Early whorls bear six varices, each attached to varices on preceding and succeeding whorls. In the last two or three postnuclear whorls the two lateral varices are retained unchanged and become somewhat more prominent. Two or more of the four other varices, two dorsal and two ventral, are reduced to low costae or become obsolete, except for a buttresslike portion where the varix is appressed to the preceding whorl. Weak spiral sculpture may be present, with or without nodules at the intersection of the cords and the varices or varix positions. A moderately thick intritacalx, a consistent character of this genus, may have axial or both axial and spiral sculpture. This flat-white layer may be seen, at times, to be covered by a translucent tan or brown periostracum. Under the intritacalx the shell is waxy white or yellow-white with, in some instances, broad, diffuse, spiral brown bands. The radular dentition is muricine.
Radwin & D\'Attilio, 1976.

Shell elongated, with elevated spire and a short, recurved, nearly closed canal; surface of a peculiar spongy or chalky white character, which when worn away reveals a shell of solid texture, white or brownish; there is a set of two or three principal varices and often a smaller secondary set, and besides these there are sometimes irregular longitudinal ribs; surface covered with revolving strife, often somewhat pitted; aperture small, elliptical; outer lip usually feebly toothed; there is a false umbilicus at the base of the columella.

Shell from 8 to 25 mm in length at maturity. Lanceolate. Average length of 15-20 mm. Spire high. Last teleoconch whorl with 2 narrow, usually high varices. Aperture small, ovate. Coluinellar lip smooth. Siphonal canal short, open, straight. Shell covered by a thick intritacalx. Many of the species of Aspella were originally included in Ranella. probably due to the particular form of the shell. Shells of Aspella are usually white. Hat and small, rarely exceeding 20 mm in length.