Thanks Paul and Henk - i do recall hearing the name pusillus somewhere.....

I have a couple more mysteries:
1) a Murex s.s. - http://schnr-specimen-shells.com/MysteryMurex.jpg -
this is simlar to Shells of the Philippines Plate 37, fig. 8: "Murex
species", only much larger, and has been driving me nuts for years!!
Reaches 135mm or so, and is relatively common.
2) A cone, 23mm, from deep water off Ethiopia (pity there's a war still
going on there!!) - http://schnr-specimen-shells.com/ethiopiacone.jpg -
this has been called a juvie typhon, but i am unconvinced. It has 9
whorls, and the first several are quite smooth.  The suture is very
slightly incised, and the last whorl has 5 shallow groves on the spire
part, irregularly spaced.  The base has only a few ridges, otherwise the
shell is smooth.

From the Great Icy North,
Ross M.