Abstract: A method and a device separate a fibrous material into portions, and deposit the portions. The device has a separation roller with cutters which are disposed on the roller circumference of the separation roller, a counter roller, and a portion carrier. The separation roller and the counter roller are rotatable in opposite directions and are disposed such that the fibrous material is guided through between the separation roller and the counter roller and thereby may be severed by one of the cutters interacting with the counter roller. A plurality of integrated retaining elements are configured such that at least one of the retaining elements exerts a retaining force on a portion and are present on the counter roller or on the separation roller, by which the portion is retained on the roller and, after severing, may be moved by a distance conjointly with the roller circumference of this roller.