Plesiorycteropus not inclined relative to each other, but about parallel. The astragalus, which is known from four examples, is wide and short and contains a uniquely large posteromedial process. Seven metapodials (middle hand or foot bones) are known, rather variable in size, but MacPhee was unable to separate metacarpals (from the hand) and metatarsals (from the foot). All are rather short and are broad proximally and narrow distally. Among the few known phalanges, the proximal phalange is shorter than the middle one and the distal phalanges are narrow and clawlike. The forelimbs of "Plesiorycteropus" show specializations for "scratch-digging", in which the
Bones of the Earth paradox, its tangles and attenuations mercifully forgotten, a love of the world is retained - a deep unselfish love of learning the world and all its creatures. Bones of the Earth Bones of the Earth is a 2002 science fiction novel by Michael Swanwick. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2002, and the Hugo, Campbell, and Locus Awards in 2003. Expanded from his Hugo Award-winning story "Scherzo with Tyrannosaur", "Bones of the Earth" spans geologic time, not just centuries but millennia, from the pre-historic past to the distant and unknown future. Most of the novel's