This comb is so arranged that about two and a half inches of the base of
all of the mohair fibers, and any other fibers which may be mixed with
them, are held, the ends of the fibers which are longer than two and a
half inches, hang freely and are caught in a revolving machine and
dragged loose from the combs which hold the base of the fiber. Thus only
those fibers two and a half inches long, or less, are left in the first
comb. The longer fibers, or tops as they are now called, to distinguish
them from the noil, or short fibers, are collected and are again passed
through a second comb.