Instrument for digging up in palaeobotany (4)
I believe the answer is:
oboe
'instrument for digging' is the definition.
'oboe' can be an answer for 'instrument' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'for digging' bit.
'up in palaeobotany' is the wordplay.
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'eobo' is hidden in the letters of 'palaeobotany'.
'eobo' backwards is 'OBOE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oboe that I've seen before include "Musical instrument" , "it's blown" , "Slender double-reed instrument" , "Walk with exaggerated movements" , "Orchestral instrument" .)