diff --git a/subclass.h b/subclass.h
index 732d15b2..a442ca30 100644
--- a/subclass.h
+++ b/subclass.h
@@ -98,12 +98,6 @@ class Class
     int setattr(const char* name, PyObject* value);
     PyObject* call(PyObject* args, PyObject* keywords);
     
-    // the purpose of these functions is explained in extclass.cpp
-    virtual void * try_class_conversions(InstanceHolderBase*) const { return 0; }
-    virtual void * try_base_class_conversions(InstanceHolderBase*) const { return 0; }
-    virtual void * try_derived_class_conversions(InstanceHolderBase*) const { return 0; }
-    virtual void * extract_object_from_holder(InstanceHolderBase*) const { return 0; }
-
  protected:
     void add_base(Ptr base);