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These earliest inhabitants made copper tools and weapons, and cultivated gardens and fields of corn. They Were the middle men in the exchange of technology and goods between the tribes of the Great Lakes and what became New England. And when Champlain, searching for the northern sea to China, told them he wanted the Indians of the Lakes to bring furs to "Lachine", they felt their position threatened though friendly to him. ‘ Soon great flotillas of canoes were on the Ottawa! manned sometimes by hundreds of Indian and French paddlers and traders. Mr. Kennedy questions the authenticity of "Champlain's astrolabe," found near Cobden in 1867 and now in the museum of the New York Historical Society. Champlain doesn't mention having had an astrolabe, or losing one; others before and after him used astrolabes in this region. But Mr. Kennedy's most alarming myth-puncturing is his case against the authenticity of the inscription on a rock on a hill above the portage from the Ottawa to Muskrat Lake - , CHAMPLAIN JUIN 7 1615. It is not in the French style and lettering , and the date is wrong! The origin of place names is given much attention by Clyde Kennedy. Portane du Chats was so named because of the great number of raeoonns there,HBC's deruty governor, Nicholas Garry wrote. But in the Chevalier de Troyes' jovrnal, still in French but studied by Mr. Kennedy, rocks scratching the canoes suggested the name. Redisson named Calumet for the stone from which Indians made pipes. In this book we are told of the astonishing feudal reign of Archibald McNab, 13th chief of his clan; of plans for Ottawa River canals, in mak ing of which David Thompson took part; of the opeining of the Opeongo Road from Nadawaska to the Ottawa; of daily life in pioneer times, on the river, in the homes, in the logeina camps, in the steam-powered lumber mill. And the Chalk River story is detailed. ' A wealth of sketches, maps and photograahs illustrates the text. Space limitations ruled out an index, unfortunately, but crossfireferences are numerous. An extensive bibliograph is included. The History is marketed by booksellers. Booksellers can obtain cories from The Renfrew County Council, 169 William Street, Pembroke, Ontar*o. Call E. N. Fraser or Michael Johnston Phone 755-0128 or from Ottawa Valley News CO- Lirited, Arnprior, Ontario AuthDD: Clyde C. Kennedy 50 Nanaimo Drive OTTAWA 6, Ortario 828-0884