74 THE ‘‘ BREAKING”? OF BARTON FISHPOND 
They appear as minute irregular diamond-shaped particles when 
floating in a tube of water, which, on microscopical examination, 
proved to be bundles of trichomes of Aphanizomenon flos-aque. I 
had never seen the pond in this condition before, but, on mentioning 
the matter to Mr. Collins, the stationmaster, he told me that the 
same thing occurred in 1908, but not so badly as this year. The 
phenomenon is not uncommon on the Shropshire Meres, it is called 
‘“ breaking of the Mere,” or ‘‘ breaking of the water.” 
It is reported by the late Sir Thomas Wardle, of Leek, as occurring 
on Copmere, Staffordshire. * It is also observed in both Scotland 
and Ireland, and is known in Germany as Wasser-bluthe, and in 
France as Les Fleurs d’Eau. 
The term “breaking ”’ must not be confused with water 
breaking through the banks, or with the term broken water, used 
when water is in violent agitation ; but itis given to this phenomenon 
because the surface of the water is said to resemble the appearance 
of yeast breaking through wort at the start of fermentation. While 
the pond is in this condition the fish seem to sulk, and the most 
expert angler is unable to tempt them with his most alluring bait. 
It is thought that either their gills become clogged with the minute 
Algze, or that injurious gases are given offand have an effect on them, 
but which is the case is not yet determined. I was informed that 
practically no fish were caught during the “breaking” of Barton 
Fishpond, only a few eels being captured. Of course during the 
summer months one may skim considerable quantities of minute 
Algz off the surface of any still water, but this is quite unlike the 
breaking of a pond or lake. 
A close microscopical examination revealed myriads of minute 
Algz ; in addition to Aphanizomenon flos-aque. Ionly identified 
one other species, Anabeena Hassallii, and this only in very small 
quantity. Itis with the former species I wish particularly to deal, as 
it is the one that causes most of the mischief ‘This little Alga 
belongs to the family Nostocez, being one of its six genera. 
The green specks consist of great numbers of needle-like bodies 
called trichomes. ‘I'hey have the power of adhering, thus forming 
* Transactions North Staffordshire Field Club, Vol, XXI pp 110-123 
“The Breaking of Copmere.” 
