Shell small, solid, cylindrical, abruptly truncate above. Whorls five, three forming the protoconch, sloping on the shoulder, perpendicular at the side, and concave at the base. Colour grey (? bleached). Sculpture : deep narrow pits are formed by the intersection of radial and spiral sculpture; radials strong, prominent, perpendicular, continuous ribs, about a dozen to a whorl, knotted at the crossing of the spirals, which number four on the upper and twelve on the lower whorl, the spiral defining the basal angle larger and more prominent. Protoconch : first whorl wound oblique to the axis of the main shell, the second overhanging the third, appearing as if the apex was wrapped in a turban. Aperture long, narrow, fortified by a heavy varix, in the anterior angle of which is excavated a deep sinus. Columella nearly straight, overlaid by a slight callus. Anterior canal very short and wide. Length, 3.0; breadth, 1.15 mm.
One specimen.
This species appears nearest related to M. cancellata, Beddome, from which, judging by the figure, it differs by having a whorl less and by the cancellate sculpture continuing below the more acute basal angle. In Drillia telescopialis, Verco, weaker and more numerous radials enclose nearly square pits, but in M. lutaria they are much longer than broad.