=== modified file 'bzrlib/builtins.py'
--- bzrlib/builtins.py	
+++ bzrlib/builtins.py	
@@ -642,13 +642,9 @@
     parameter, as in "checkout foo/bar -r 5". Note that this will be immediately
     out of date [so you cannot commit] but it may be useful (i.e. to examine old
     code.)
-
-    --basis is to speed up checking out from remote branches.  When specified, it
-    uses the inventory and file contents from the basis branch in preference to the
-    branch being checked out.
     """
     takes_args = ['branch_location?', 'to_location?']
-    takes_options = ['revision', # , 'basis']
+    takes_options = ['revision',
                      Option('lightweight',
                             help="perform a lightweight checkout. Lightweight "
                                  "checkouts depend on access to the branch for "
@@ -658,7 +654,7 @@
                             ),
                      ]
 
-    def run(self, branch_location=None, to_location=None, revision=None, basis=None,
+    def run(self, branch_location=None, to_location=None, revision=None,
             lightweight=False):
         if revision is None:
             revision = [None]