TATE: SOURCE OF RIVER AIRE. 
179 
Professor Boyd Dawkins figures the Aire as piercing the 
bed of Malham Tarn, and flowing thence, through a fissure 
in the limestone, directly to the outlet at the foot of the 
Cove. * 
According to Black's Gruide, " its waters have been con- 
clusively ascertained to owe their origin to a small mountain 
stream in the direction of Cowside." f There are two 
localities bearing this name, but the area around one drains 
into the Wharf e, while the area surrounding the other is 
drained by the Ribble. 
Our latest topographical authority gives the following 
account of the origin of this river : — " The river Aire has 
its source in several small streams rising in the moorlands at 
the foot of Fountains Fell and Hard Flask. The principal 
stream runs from Capon Hall to the Tarn, and is joined by 
others in its passage. A second feeder, having its origin 
near Capon Hall, runs in a more southerly direction for 
about a mile over the ' Streets/ and sinks in a cleft in the 
rock near an old smelting mill. The stream from Malham 
Tarn runs half a mile southward, and sinks through a large 
opening in the limestone. Nothing more is seen of the 
water until the foot of Malham Cove is reached. The water 
rushes in a powerful stream from an opening at the base of 
the Cove, and pursuing a southward course passes through 
the village of Malham, and half a mile below is joined by 
the stream from Gordale. The Aire then runs nearly due 
south through Hanlith and Airton to Bell Busk, where it is 
joined by the Otterburn." % 
These conflicting descriptions of the infancy of the river 
upon whose banks we are met, an appeal to local authority 
does not tend to harmonise. 
* " Cave Hunting" (1874), page 55, fig. 8. 
t " Yorkshire," page 33. 
\ " West Yorkshire," page 327, <fec. 
