Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Original Description
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“Columbarium benthocallis, * sp. n. (Plate, fig. 11α).

C. testa eleganter fusiformi, tenui, papyracea, alba, epidermide pallidé cinerea contecta, parum nitida, anfractibus ad 6-7, apicalibus….? his ductus proximis erosis, quatuor ultimis fortissimo et ampliter apud medium carinatis, superficie undique tenuiter liratula, et longitudinaliter irregularibus striis incrementalibus prædita, ultimo anfractu subtus carina inferiori minus conspicua decorato, apertura subtriangulari, intus albo-cinerascente, peristomate tenui, margine columellari recto, canali longo, recto.

Long. 45, lat. (carina anfr. ultimi inclusa) 18 mm.

Hab.-Trawl, lat. 62º 10’ S., long. 41º 20’ W., 1775 fathoms, March 10, 1903.

A shell of papyraceous texture, as are so many abyssal species, whitish, with very thin ash-coloured epidermis. The apex of our only specimen is wanting, and the next two whorls much eroded; the remainder are embellished with a central very acute and bold keel; in the last whorl this carina is situate above the centre, and not far below the suture. A little lower comes a less-developed spiral keel. The triangular mouth is ashy-white within, the columellar margin straight, and the canal prolonged.”

*Βένθος κάλος, “beauty of the deep.”

(Melvill & Standen, 1907: 140-141)