Cat coat genetics basic pattern of stripes that underlies the coat. The basic wild-type tabby gene, "Mc", produces what is called a "mackerel striped" tabby (stripes look like thin fishbones and may break up into bars or spots), while a recessive mutant, "mc", produces a blotched or "classic" tabby pattern (broad bands, whorls, and spirals of dark color on pale background usually with bulls-eye or oyster pattern on flank). The classic tabby is most common in Iran, Great Britain and in lands that were once part of the British Empire and Persian Empire. The gene responsible for this differential patterning has been identified
Mackerel eaten on the day of capture, unless properly refrigerated or cured. Mackerel preservation is not simple. Before the 19th-century development of canning and the widespread availability of refrigeration, salting and smoking were the principal preservation methods available. Historically in England, this fish was not preserved, but was consumed only in its fresh form. However, spoilage was common, leading the authors of "The Cambridge Economic History of Europe" to remark: "There are more references to stinking mackerel in English literature than to any other fish!" In France mackerel was traditionally pickled with large amounts of salt, which allowed it to be