Protoconch 1,5 whorls, tall and prominent, first half-whorl deviated, smooth and shining, nucleus submerged. Teleoconch 4,5 strongly bicarinate convex whorls, turreted and slightly canaliculate. Sutures deeply impressed. Sculpture of very heavy prominent rounded axial ribs, 9 to each whorl, crossed by two bold and prominent narrow cords on each whorl, two additional towards base of body-whorl; cords form prominent lateral nodules at junction with ribs; one fine sharp striation below each cord, 2 on body-whorl below lower cord; 5 larger striae cross ribs and interstices on top of shoulders on body-whorl, four on penultimate and 3 on next whorl; a further 8 fine wavy striations at base of body-whorl; entire sculpture is covered by microscopic hair-like growth lines. Umbilicus small and narrow, partly covered by inner-lip callus. Aperture ovate, a short wide open siphonal canal; columella straight, 2 strong slightly oblique plaits; inner-lip recurved on to body-whorl as a strong callus; outer-lip regularly curved, 4 deep indentations from below shoulder to base caused by external cords; 8 strong lirations below edge of outer-lip extend well into aperture, with extremely fine hairlines between. Colour bright chestnut; fine bristly greenish-brown periostracum. Dimensions. Holotype, length 6 mm, breadth 3-5 mm. Maximum length 7-5 mm.

This species is probably a direct descendant of the Victorian Tertiary fossil Gergovia laticostata Tenison-Woods, type for the genus, which it closely resembles. A most interesting comparison of G. laticostata and G. recessa with specimens of the larger Agatrix agassizi Dall, 1889, from the west coast of Florida, U.S.A., shows such a strong resemblance that a close relationship would appear to exist, despite the great distance between localities. The protoconch is identical, also the bold type of axial ribbing and cross striations, the strongly coronate shoulders and slight canal at the sutures, even in one specimen of G. recessa the remnants of tufted nodes of periostracum on top of the shoulders, referred to by Petit (1967: 218). The main point of difference apart from size is the existence of 3 columella plaits in Agatrix agassizi compared with only two in G. recessa.

Distribution. Off Crowdy Head, N.S.W. (31° 50' S., 152° 39' E.), southwards to Twofold Bay, N.S.W. (37° 05' S., 150° E.). Lowest depth recorded, 82-100 metres for specimen from off Crowdy Head, shallowest depth 18 metres in Twofold Bay. Type locality. Off Bateman's Bay, New South Wales (35° 45' S., 150° 29' E.), 137 metres.