Shell up to 15.0 mm in length, slender, elongate-ovate, frequently shining, teleoconch of 5-5% whorls, protoconch of 3-3% finely carinate, glassy embryonic whorls. In other features closely resembl- ing N.quadrasi (Hidalgo) but differs in the following features: the surface of the shell is more shining, the spines are more discreet and noduled at the tips; the body whorl usually has 4 spiral rows of spines but occasionally a fifth row merges with the fourth row anteriorly. Axial ribs are less coarse than in N.quadrasi and interspaces completely smooth apart from macroscopic longitudinal striae; spiral cords are only faintly indicated on the body whorl where they are confined to the walls of the axial ribs. Laminated anterior of columella filled with callus and recurved towards aperture which is smaller than in N.quadrasi. White in colour, dorsal side frequently stained with orange-brown or completely orange-brown with white nodules, aperture, columella and protoconch white, back of siphonal canal with a horizontally oriented dark brown stain. Operculum brown and serrate at margins. TYPE LOCALITY. Galeo, Mindoro I, Philippines, 5 m (echinatus); Philippines (alba Hidalgo). DISTRIBUTION. From Madagascar to the Andaman Is, Ryukyu and Fiji Is. In clean coral and muddy sand, from the intertidal zone to a depth of 24 m. Type specimens. The lectotype (designated Cernohorsky 1972a) of N.echinatus (A.Adams), length 14.0 mm, width 7.5 mm, and a paralectotype, are in the British Museum (N.H.), London, No.197131. Material examined. MADAGASCAR: Grand Récif, Tulear, 12 m, and other stations around Tulear, 4-12 m (SMOM); MAURITIUS: (NMV); ANDAMAN IS: (NMV; ZSI; ZMC); THAILAND: Goh Sindarar Nua (USNM); INDONESIA: Pulau Siburu, S.W. Sumatra; Pulau Melila, Sumatra (both USNM); PHILIPPINES: Mantacao I, Bohol; Sitangkai, Sibutu, Sulu (both USNM); RYUKYU IS: Okinawa I (USNM); PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Buriwadi I, Trobriand group, 18-22 m (AMS); Nordup, E.New Britain, 24 m (coll.Parkinson); AUSTRALIA: off Murray I, Torres Str., 18 m; off N.tip of Casuarina beach, Lizard I (both AMS); NEW HEBRIDES: Port Havannah, Efate I (coll. Eker); Mele Bay, Efate I (LACM); Ile Vate (AMS); FIJI IS: Nadi Bay, W.Viti Levu (AMS).