Abstract: A machine for combing textile fibers prior to spinning, which operates to regroup the fibers in accordance with their length, is described. The machine operates to pull off tufts of fibers from a web or card sliver, to perform a preliminary combing of the fibers, and to deposit the tufts onto a conveyor with the fibers extending transverse the direction of advance and the ends of the fibers which were gripped in order to pull the tuft out of the web all aligned along the direction of advance of the conveyor. Subsequently the conveyor carries the tufts past a plurality of withdrawing devices which are successively nearer the conveyor and which operate to pull off first the longer fibers and subsequently successively shorter fibers. The fibers are subjected to a further combing operation as they are withdrawn from the conveyor.