DNA-dependent RNA polymerases I and II have been purified starting from bovine thyroid nuclei yielding a purification factor of 230 for the RNA polymerase I and a purification factor 3212 for RNA polymerase II. RNA polymerase II was further characterized by gel electrophoresis and amino-acid analysis. 2. Kinetics and optimal assay conditions for both RNA polymerases were studied. 3. The template efficiency of a number of DNA preparations was investigated. 4. Rifamycin AF 013 and heparin act as initiation inhibitors. 5. Polyamines were shown to enhance the rate of chain elongation.